NZ585087A

NZ585087A - Benzenesulfonanilide compounds suitable for treating disorders that respond to modulation of the serotonin 5-ht6 receptor

Info

Publication number: NZ585087A
Application number: NZ585087A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Wilfried Braje; Sean Colm Turner; Andreas Haupt; Udo Lange; Karla Drescher; Karsten Wicke; Liliane Unger; Mario Mezler; Wolfgang Wernet; Matthias Mayrer; Ana Lucia Jongen-Relo; Anton Bespalov; Min Zhang
Original assignee: Abbott Gmbh & Co Kg; Abbott Lab
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2008-10-31
Publication date: 2012-06-29
Also published as: CL2008003232A1; ZA201003594B; AR069151A1; US20090131452A1; US7790727B2; IL205469A0; US20110086863A1; EP2217583A1; AU2008320821A1; CN101918384A; MX2010004832A; PE20091016A1; CA2704529A1; KR20100100849A; BRPI0819233A2; WO2009056632A1; ES2378596T3; UY31447A1; ATE535517T1; TW200927117A

Abstract

Disclosed are benzenesulfonanilide compounds of formulae I and I' and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof, wherein the substituents are as described with the specification. An example of a compound of formulae I and I' includes 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyI)-benzenesulfonamide. Further disclosed is pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I or I', and the use of a compound of formulae I or I' for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity.

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number 585087 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 1 BENZENESULFONANILIDE COMPOUNDS SUITABLE FOR TREATING DISORDERS THAT RESPOND TO MODULATION OF THE SEROTONIN 5-HT6 RECEPTOR Background of the Invention The present invention relates to novel benzenesulfonanilide compounds. The compounds possess valuable therapeutic properties and are particularly suitable for treating diseases that respond to modulation of the serotonin 5-HT6 receptor.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a monoamine neurotransmitter and local hormone, is formed by the hydroxylation and decarboxylation of tryptophan. The greatest concentration is found in the enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract, the remainder being predominantly present in platelets and in the Central Nervous System (CNS). 5-HT is implicated in a vast array of physiological and 15 pathophysiological pathways. In the periphery, it contracts a number of smooth muscles and induces endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In the CNS, it is believed to be involved in a wide range of functions, including the control of appetite, mood, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep, vomiting and pain perception.

Neurons that secrete 5-HT are termed serotonergic. The function of 5-HT is exerted upon its interaction with specific (serotonergic) neurons. Until now, seven types of 5-HT receptors have been identified: 5-HTi (with subtypes 5-HTia, 5-HTib, 5-HTid, 5-HTie and 5-HTif), 5-HT2(with subtypes 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C), 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HTs (with subtypes 5-HT5a and 5-HT5b), 5-HT6 and 5-HT7. Most of these receptors are 25 coupled to G-proteins that affect the activities of either adenylate cyclase or phospholipase Cy.

The human 5-HT6 receptors are positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. They are distributed throughout the limbic, striatal and cortical regions of the brain and show a 30 high affinity to antipsychotics.

The modulation of the 5-HT6 receptor by suitable substances is expected to improve certain disorders including cognitive dysfunctions, such as a deficit in memory, cognition and learning, in particular associated with Alzheimer's disease, age-related 35 cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome, personality disorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitive deficits related with schizophrenia, affective disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleep disorders (including disturbances of the 40 Circadian rhythm), feeding disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diseases associated with RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 2 neurodegeneration, such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and head injuries, such as hydrocephalus, addiction diseases and obesity.

WO 98/027081, WO 00/12623, WO 00/12073, US 2003/0069233, WO 02/08179 and WO 02/92585 disclose certain benzenesulfonanililde compounds having 5HT6 receptor 5 antagonist activity and suggest the use of these compounds for the treatment of medical disorders which are susceptible to the treatment with 5HT6 receptor antagonists such as certain CNS disorders, drug abuse, ADHD, obesity and type II diabetes. WO 2008087123 suggests compounds having 5HT6 receptor antagonist activity for preventing relapse into addiction.

However, there is still an ongoing need for providing compounds having high affinity for the 5-HT6 receptor and which show high selectivity to this receptor. In particular the compounds should have low affinity to adrenergic receptors, such as ai-adrenergic receptor, histamine receptors, such as Hi-receptor, and dopaminergic receptors , such as D2-receptor, in order to avoid or reduce considerable side effects associated with modulation of these receptors, such as postural hypotension, reflex tachycardia, potentiation of the antihypertensive effect of prazosin, terazosin, doxazosin and labetalol or dizziness associated to the blockade of the ai-adrenergic receptor, weight gain, sedation, drowsiness or potentiation of central depressant drugs associated to the blockade of the Hi-receptor, or extrapyramidal movement disorder, such as dystonia, parkinsonism, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia or rabbit syndrome, or endocrine effects, such as prolactin elevation (galactorrhea, gynecomastia, menstruyl changes, sexual dysfunction in males), associated to the blockade of the D2-receptor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide compounds which have a high affinity and selectivity for the 5-HT6 receptor, thus allowing the treatment of disorders related to 25 or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The compounds should also have good pharmacological profile, e.g. a good bioavailability and/or a good metabolic stability.

Summary of the Invention It has now been found that the benzenesulfonamide compounds of the formulae (I) and (I') as defined herein, their physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof exhibit to a surprising and unexpected degree, selective binding to the 5-HT6 receptor. Therefore, the present invention relates to the benzenesulfonamide compounds of formulae (I) and (I1) RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 3 R .5 (I') (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl R2 is hydrogen or methyl R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl; R5 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C2 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy; and R6 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof.

The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition which comprises at least one benzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I) or (I1) and/or at least one physiologically tolerated acid addition salt of (I) or (I1) and/or at least one N-oxide of (I) or (I1), where appropriate together with physiologically acceptable carriers and/or auxiliary substances.

The present invention further relates to the compounds of the invention for use in a medicament.

The present invention further relates to the compounds of the invention for use in a medicament, for treating a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity.

The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention, optionally together with at least one (followed by page 3a) RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 physiologically acceptable carrier or auxiliary substance.

The present invention further relates to use of a compound of the invention for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity.

The present invention further relates to the use of a compound of the invention for preparing a pharmaceutical composition.The present invention further relates to the use of a benzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I) or (I') and/or physiologically tolerated acid addition salts thereof and/or at least one N-oxide of (I) or (I'), for preparing a pharmaceutical composition, optionally together with at least one 10 physiologically acceptable carrier or auxiliary substance.

The compounds are selective 5-HT6 receptor ligands. Thus the compounds are particularly suitable for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity, as these disorders and diseases are likely to respond to influencing by 5-HT6 receptor ligands. Described herein is a method for treating 15 disorders in mammals, said method comprising administering an effective amount of at least one compound of the formula (I) or (I') and/or at least one (followed by page 4) RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 4 physiologically tolerated acid addition salt of (I) or (I') and/or at least one N-oxide of (I) or (I') to a subject in need thereof.

Detailed Description of the invention The diseases which are susceptible to treatment with a benzenesulfonanilide compound of the formulae (I) and (I') include, e.g., disorders and diseases of the central nervous system, in particular cognitive dysfunctions, such as a deficit in memory, cognition and learning, in particular associated with Alzheimer's disease, age-10 related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD), personality disorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitive deficits related with schizophrenia, affective disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleep disorders (including 15 disturbances of the Circadian rhythm), feeding disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diseases associated with neurodegeneration, such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and head injuries, including hydrocephalus, drug addiction and obesity.

As described herein, at least one benzenesulfonanilide compound of the general formulae (I) or (I') having the meanings mentioned at the outset is used for treating the above mentioned diseases, disorders or medical indications. Provided the compounds of the formulae (I) or (I') of a given constitution may exist in different spatial arrangements, for example if they possess one or more centers of asymmetry, 25 polysubstituted rings or double bonds, or as different tautomers, it is also possible to use enantiomeric mixtures, in particular racemates, diastereomeric mixtures and tautomeric mixtures, preferably, however, the respective essentially pure enantiomers, diastereomers and tautomers of the compounds of formulae (I) or (I') and/or of their salts and/or their N-oxides.

It is likewise possible to use physiologically tolerated salts of the compounds of the formulae (I) or (I'), especially acid addition salts with physiologically tolerated acids. Examples of suitable physiologically tolerated organic and inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, Ci-C4-alkylsulfonic 35 acids, such as methanesulfonic acid, aromatic sulfonic acids, such as benzenesulfonic acid and toluenesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid and benzoic acid. Other utilizable acids are described in Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung [Advances in drug research], Volume 10, pages 224 ff., Birkhauser Verlag, Basel and Stuttgart, 1966. (followed by page 5) RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 It is likewise possible to use N-oxides of the compounds of the formulae (I) or (I'), if those compounds contain a basic nitrogen atom, such as the nitrogen atom of the piperazine moiety.

The organic moieties mentioned in the above definitions of the variables are - like the 5 term halogen - collective terms for individual listings of the individual group members. The prefix Cn-Cm indicates in each case the possible number of carbon atoms in the group.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which 10 includes the "comprising", other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in similar manner.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of 15 providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter that is 20 not within the scope of the claims of the current application. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the claims of this application.

As used herein, C1-C4 alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such a group include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-25 methylethyl (isopropyl), n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl (= 2-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (= isobutyl) and 1,1-dimethylethyl (= tert.-butyl).

As used herein, fluorinated C1-C2 alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, wherein at least one hydrogen atom, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hydrogen atoms, are replaced by fluorine. Examples of such a group include 30 fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl and 1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethyl.

As used herein, fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, wherein at least one hydrogen atom, e.g. 1,2,3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 hydrogen atoms, are replaced by fluorine. Examples of such a group include 35 fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl, 1,1,2,2,2-pentafluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 3,3-difluoropropyl, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl, 1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropyl, 2-fluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2-difluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl etc. (followed by page 5a) RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 5a As used herein, C1-C2 alkoxy is a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms which is bound to the remainder of the molecule via an oxygen atom. Examples of such a group are methoxy and ethoxy.

As used herein, fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy is an alkoxy group as defined above, wherein 5 at least one, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms. Examples of such a group are fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy.

In the formulae I and I', the integers "5" and "6" denominate positions of the benzene ring. (followed by page 6) WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 6 A first preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is methyl.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', 10 to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R2 is hydrogen.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', wherein R2 is methyl. In the compounds, wherein R2 is methyl, the carbon atom that 15 carries R2 creates a center of chirality. Thus, a specific embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R2 is methyl and wherein the carbon atom that carries R2 has S-configuration. Another specific embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the 20 N-oxides thereof, wherein R2 is methyl and wherein the carbon atom that carries R2 has R-configuration.

Likewise preferred are mixtures of compounds of the present invention, wherein the carbon atom that carries R2 has S-configuration or R-configuration, respectively. These 25 mixtures may contain equal amounts or non-equal amounts of the compound I, or equal amounts or non-equal amounts of the compound I', respectively, that have R-configuration with regard to the moiety CH-R2 and of the compound I or I' that have S-configuration with regard to CH-R2.

The term "enantiomerically pure" means that the mixture contains the respective compound in an entaniomeric excess of at least 80 %, in particular at least 90 % (ee).

Preference is given to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or 35 trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy. Likewise preference is given to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen.

Preference is given to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically 40 tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R4 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 2-fluoroethyl or 3-fluoropropyl. More preference is given to compounds of the present invention, wherein R4 is hydrogen. 7 R5 is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from hydrogen, methoxy and difluoromethoxy. In a particular preferred embodiment of 5 the invention, R5 is hydrogen. In another particular preferred embodiment of the invention, R5 is selected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxy and difluoromethoxy.

R6 is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and fluorine. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, R6 is hydrogen. In another particular preferred embodiment of the invention R6 is different from hydrogen, in particular fluorine. If R6 is different from hydrogen it is preferably located in the 5- or 6-postion of the benzene ring.

Preference is given to those compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is methoxy and R6 is hydrogen, or R3 is methoxy and R6 is fluorine being located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring, or both R3 and R6 are hydrogen or R3 is hydrogen and R6 20 is fluorine being located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

A particular preferred embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl, in particular hydrogen; R3 hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy, preferably hydrogen, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen, methoxy; R4 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or 3-fluoropropyl; R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from hydrogen, methoxy and difluoromethoxy; and R6 is hydrogen or fluorine, which is located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

Amongst the compounds of this particular preferred embodiment, preference is given to those compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is methoxy and R6 is hydrogen, or R3 is methoxy and R6 is fluorine being located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring, or both R3 and R6 are hydrogen or R3 is hydrogen and R6 is fluorine being located in the 5- or 6- 40 position of the benzene ring.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 8 A particular embodiment (1) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl, in particular hydrogen; R3 C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy, preferably methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; R4 is hydrogen or C1-C2 alkyl; R5 is hydrogen; and R6 is hydrogen.

Another particular embodiment (2a) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is hydrogen. In this particular embodiment, R6 is preferably hydrogen or fluorine, which is located in the 5- or 6-position of the benzene ring.

Another particular embodiment (2b) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R3 is fluorine. In this particular embodiment, R6 is preferably hydrogen.

Another particular embodiment (3) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R4 is C3-C4 alkyl or fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl.

Another particular embodiment (4) of the invention relates to compounds of the 25 formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, C1-C2 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy, in particular selected from the group consisting of fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxy and difluoromethoxy.

Another particular embodiment (5a) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R6 is fluorine or chlorine, in particular fluorine, wherein R6 is located in the 5-postion of the benzene ring. In this embodiment, R3 is preferably hydrogen, methoxy, 35 difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen or methoxy.

Another particular embodiment (5b) of the invention relates to compounds of the formulae I and I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R6 is fluorine or chlorine, in particular fluorine, wherein R6 is located in the 6-40 postion of the benzene ring. In this embodiment, R3 is preferably hydrogen, methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular hydrogen or methoxy.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 9 A particular preferred embodiment la of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment lb of the invention relates to compounds of 10 the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and 15 R4 is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ic of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein 20 R1 is methyl; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment Id of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is methyl; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is methyl.

A particular preferred embodiment le of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, 35 wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is hydrogen. 40 WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 A further particular preferred embodiment If of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ig of the invention relates to compounds of 10 the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is methyl; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and 15 R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment Ih of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I, to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein 20 R1 is methyl; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is methyl.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, preference is given to those, where the radicals R5 and R6 in formula I are both hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is hydrogen and where 30 the radical R6 in formula I is fluorine, which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzene ring.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is methoxy and where 35 the radical R6 in formula I is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is methoxy and where the radical R6 in formula I is fluorine, which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-40 position of the benzene ring.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 11 Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is difluoromethoxy and where the radical R6 in formula I is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is difluoromethoxy and where the radical R6 in formula I is fluorine, which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzene ring.

A particular preferred embodiment I'a of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'b of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, 20 wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is methyl; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'c of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and R4 is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'd of the invention relates to compounds of 35 the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is methyl; R3 is methoxy, difluoromethoxy or trifluoromethoxy, in particular methoxy; and 40 R4 is methyl.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 12 A particular preferred embodiment I'e of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'f of the invention relates to compounds of 10 the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is methyl; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and 15 R4 is hydrogen.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'g of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein 20 R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is methyl.

A further particular preferred embodiment I'h of the invention relates to compounds of the formula I', to their pharmacologically tolerated salts and to the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1 is hydrogen; R2 is methyl; R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, in particular hydrogen; and R4 is methyl.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments I'a, I'b, I'c, I'd, I'e, I'f, I'g and I'h, preference is given to those, where the radicals R5 and R6 in formula I are both hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of embodiments I'a, I'b, I'c, I'd, I'e, I'f, I'g and I'h, likeweise preference is given to those, where the radical R5 in formula I is hydrogen and where the radical R6 in formula I is fluorine, which is located in the 5-position or in the 6-position of the benzene ring. 40 Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, particular preference is given to those, WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 13 wherein the OCHF2-radical is located on the benzene ring in the meta-position with respect to the sulfonyl group. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is hydrogen. Amongst these compounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein 5 R5 is different from hydrogen and in particular selected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxy and difluoromethoxy, and located in the para-position, with respect to the sulfonyl group, or in the para-position, with respect to the OCHF2-radical.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likewise preference is given to those, wherein the OCHF2-radical is located on the benzene ring in the ortho-position with respect to the sulfonyl group. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is hydrogen. Amongst these 15 compounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is different from hydrogen and in particular selected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxy and difluoromethoxy, and located in the para-position, with respect to the sulfonyl group, or in the para-position, with respect to the OCHF2-radical.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I, in particular amongst the compounds of embodiments la, lb, Ic, Id, le, If, Ig and Ih, likewise preference is given to those, wherein the OCHF2-radical is located on the benzene ring in the para-position with respect to the sulfonyl group. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given 25 to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is hydrogen. Amongst these compounds, likewise preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is different from hydrogen and in particular selected from fluorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy and more preferably from methoxy and difluoromethoxy, and located in the meta-position, with respect to 30 the sulfonyl group.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I', in particular amongst the compounds of embodiments I'a, I'b, I'c, I'd, I'e, I'f and I'g, particular preference is given to those, wherein the sulfonyl group is attached to the benzene ring in the a-position with respect 35 to the 1,3-dioxole ring. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is hydrogen.

Amongst the compounds of the formula I', in particular amongst the compounds of embodiments I'a, I'b, I'c, I'd, I'e, I'f and I'g, particular preference is given to those, 40 wherein the sulfonyl group is attached to the benzene ring in the IJ-position with respect to the 1,3-dioxole ring. Amongst these compounds, particular preference is given to those compounds of the formula I, wherein R5 is hydrogen. 14 Examples of compounds according to the present invention are the compounds of the formula I, their pharmacologically tolerated salts and the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and the position of the moiety OCHF2 on the benzene ring with 5 respect to the sulfonyl group is given in the following table A: Table A No. r1 r^ R6 r4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 1. h h OCH3 h h h ortho 2. h h OCH3 ch3 h h ortho 3. ch3 h OCH3 h h h ortho 4. ch3 h OCH3 ch3 h h ortho . h h OCH3 h h h meta 6. h h OCH3 ch3 h h meta 7. ch3 h OCH3 h h h meta 8. ch3 h OCH3 ch3 h h meta 9. h h OCH3 h h h para . h h OCH3 ch3 h h para 11. ch3 h OCH3 h h h para 12. ch3 h OCH3 ch3 h h para 13. h h OCHF2 h h h ortho 14. h h OCHF2 ch3 h h ortho . ch3 h OCHF2 h h h ortho 16. ch3 h OCHF2 ch3 h h ortho 17. h h OCHF2 h h h meta 18. h h OCHF2 ch3 h h meta 19. ch3 h OCHF2 h h h meta . ch3 h OCHF2 ch3 h h meta 21. h h OCHF2 h h h para 22. h h OCHF2 ch3 h h para 23. ch3 h OCHF2 h h h para 24. ch3 h OCHF2 ch3 h h para . h h OCF3 h h h ortho 26. h h OCF3 ch3 h h ortho 27. ch3 h OCF3 h h h ortho 28. ch3 h OCF3 ch3 h h ortho 29. h h OCF3 h h h meta . h h OCF3 ch3 h h meta 31. ch3 h OCF3 h h h meta No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 32.

CH3 H OCFs CHs H H meta 33.

H H OCFs H H H para 34.

H H OCFs CHs H H para .

CHs H OCFs H H H para 36.

CHs H OCFs CHs H H para 37.

H H OCH2CH2F H H H ortho 38.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs H H ortho 39.

CHs H OCH2CH2F H H H ortho 40.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CHs H H ortho 41.

H H OCH2CH2F H H H meta 42.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs H H meta 43.

CHs H OCH2CH2F H H H meta 44.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CHs H H meta 45.

H H OCH2CH2F H H H para 46.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs H H para 47.

CHs H OCH2CH2F H H H para 48.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CHs H H para 49.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H H ortho 50.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H H ortho 51.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H H meta 52.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H H meta 53.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H H para 54.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H H para 55.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H ortho 56.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H ortho 57.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H meta 58.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H meta 59.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H para 60.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH3 H H para 61.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H ortho 62.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H ortho 63.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H meta 64.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H meta 65.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H para 66.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 H H para 67.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 68.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 69.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H H meta 16 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of ochf2*** 70. ch3 H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 H H meta 71.

H H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 H H para 72.

CHs H OCHs ch2CH2chs H H para 73.

H H ochf2 ch2ch2chs H H ortho 74.

CHs H ochf2 ch2ch2chs H H ortho 75.

H H ochf2 ch2CH2chs H H meta 76.

CHs H ochf2 ch2CH2chs H H meta 77.

H H ochf2 ch2CH2chs H H para 78.

CHs H ochf2 ch2CH2chs H H para 79.

H H och2ch2f ch2CH2chs H H ortho 80.

CHs H och2ch2f ch2CH2chs H H ortho 81.

H H och2ch2f ch2CH2chs H H meta 82.

CHs H och2ch2f ch2CH2chs H H meta 83.

H H och2ch2f ch2CH2chs H H para 84.

CHs h och2ch2f ch2CH2chs h h para 85. h h OCHs h 6-ochs h meta 86. h h OCHs CHs 6-ochs h meta 87.

CHs h OCHs h 6-OCHs h meta 88.

CHs h OCHs CHs 6-OCHs h meta 89. h h ochf2 h 6-OCHs h meta 90.

H H ochf2 CHs 6-OCHs H meta 91.

CHs H ochf2 H 6-OCHs H meta 92.

CHs H ochf2 CHs 6-OCHs H meta 93.

H H OCFs H 6-OCHs H meta 94.

H H OCFs CHs 6-OCHs H meta 95.

CHs H OCFs H 6-OCHs H meta 96.

CHs H OCFs CHs 6-OCHs H meta 97.

H H och2ch2f H 6-OCHs H meta 98.

H H och2ch2f CHs 6-OCHs H meta 99.

CHs H och2ch2f H 6-OCHs H meta 100.

CHs H och2ch2f CHs 6-OCHs H meta 101.

H H OCHs ch2ch3 6-OCHs H meta 102.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCHs H meta 103.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 6-OCHs H meta 104.

CHs H ochf2 CH2CH3 6-OCHs H meta 105.

H H och2ch2f CH2CH3 6-OCHs H meta 106.

CHs H och2ch2f CH2CH3 6-OCHs H meta 107.

H H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-OCHs H meta 17 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of ochf2*** 108. ch3 h OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-OCHs h meta 109. h h ochf2 ch2ch2ch3 6-OCHs h meta 110.

CHs h ochf2 ch2ch2ch3 6-OCHs h meta 111. h h och2ch2f ch2CH2chs 6-OCHs h meta 112.

CHs h och2ch2f ch2CH2chs 6-OCHs h meta 113. h h OCHs h 6-ochf2 h meta 114. h h OCHs CHs 6-ochf2 h meta 115.

CHs h OCHs h 6-ochf2 h meta 116.

CHs h OCHs CHs 6-ochf2 h meta 117. h h ochf2 h 6-ochf2 h meta 118.

H H ochf2 CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 119.

CHs H ochf2 H 6-ochf2 H meta 120.

CHs H ochf2 CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 121.

H H OCFs H 6-ochf2 H meta 122.

H H OCFs CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 123.

CHs H OCFs H 6-ochf2 H meta 124.

CHs H OCFs CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 125.

H H och2ch2f H 6-ochf2 H meta 126.

H H och2ch2f CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 127.

CHs H och2ch2f H 6-ochf2 H meta 128.

CHs H och2ch2f CHs 6-ochf2 H meta 129.

H H OCHs ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 130.

CHs H OCHs ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 131.

H H ochf2 ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 132.

CHs H ochf2 ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 133.

H H och2ch2f ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 134.

CHs H och2ch2f ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 135.

H H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 136.

CHs H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 137.

H H ochf2 ch2ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 138.

CHs H ochf2 ch2ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 139.

H H och2ch2f ch2ch2ch3 6-ochf2 H meta 140.

CHs h och2ch2f ch2CH2chs 6-ochf2 h meta 141. h h OCHs h 4-ochs h meta 142. h h OCHs CHs 4-ochs h meta 143.

CHs h OCHs h 4-OCHs h meta 144.

CHs h OCHs CHs 4-OCHs h meta 145. h h ochf2 h 4-OCHs h meta 18 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 146.

H H ochf2 CHs 4-OCHs H meta 147.

CH3 H ochf2 H 4-OCHs H meta 148.

CHs H ochf2 CHs 4-OCHs H meta 149.

H H OCFs H 4-OCHs H meta 150.

H H OCFs CHs 4-OCHs H meta 151.

CHs H OCFs H 4-OCHs H meta 152.

CHs H OCFs CHs 4-OCHs H meta 153.

H H OCH2CH2F H 4-OCHs H meta 154.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs 4-OCHs H meta 155.

CHs H OCH2CH2F H 4-OCHs H meta 156.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CHs 4-OCHs H meta 157.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 158.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 159.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 160.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 161.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 162.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 163.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 164.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 165.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 166.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 167.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 168.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 169.

H H OCHs H 3-OCHs H para 170.

H H OCHs CHs 3-OCHs H para 171.

CHs H OCHs H 3-OCHs H para 172.

CHs H OCHs CH3 3-OCHs H para 173.

H H OCHF2 H 3-OCHs H para 174.

H H OCHF2 CHs 3-OCHs H para 175.

CHs H OCHF2 H 3-OCHs H para 176.

CHs H OCHF2 CHs 3-OCHs H para 177.

H H OCFs H 3-OCHs H para 178.

H H OCFs CHs 3-OCHs H para 179.

CHs H OCFs H 3-OCHs H para 180.

CHs H OCFs CHs 3-OCHs H para 181.

H H OCH2CH2F H 3-OCHs H para 182.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs 3-OCHs H para 183.

CHs H OCH2CH2F H 3-OCHs H para 19 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 184.

CH3 H OCH2CH2F CHs 3-OCHs H para 185.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 186.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 187.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 188.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 189.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 190.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 191.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 192.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 193.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 194.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 195.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCH3 H para 196.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 197.

H H OCHs H H 6-F ortho 198.

H H OCHs CHs H 6-F ortho 199.

CHs H OCHs H H 6-F ortho 200.

CHs H OCHs CH3 H 6-F ortho 201.

H H OCHs H H 6-F meta 202.

H H OCHs CHs H 6-F meta 203.

CHs H OCHs H H 6-F meta 204.

CHs H OCHs CHs H 6-F meta 205.

H H OCHs H H 6-F para 206.

H H OCHs CHs H 6-F para 207.

CHs H OCHs H H 6-F para 208.

CHs H OCHs CHs H 6-F para 209.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 210.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 211.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 212.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 213.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F para 214.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H 6-F para 215.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 216.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 217.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 218.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 219.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F para 220.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F para 221.

H H OCHs H 6-OCH3 6-F meta No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 222.

CH3 H OCHs H 6-OCHs 6-F meta 223.

H H OCHs CHs 6-OCH3 6-F meta 224.

CHs H OCHs CHs 6-OCHs 6-F meta 225.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 226.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 227.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 228.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 229.

H H OCHs H 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 230.

CHs H OCHs H 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 231.

H H OCHs CHs 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 232.

CHs H OCHs CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 233.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 234.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 235.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 236.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 237.

H H OCHs H 4-OCHs 6-F meta 238.

CHs H OCHs H 4-OCHs 6-F meta 239.

H H OCHs CHs 4-OCHs 6-F meta 240.

CHs H OCHs CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 241.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 242.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 243.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 244.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 245.

H H OCHs H 3-OCHs 6-F para 246.

CHs H OCHs H 3-OCHs 6-F para 247.

H H OCHs CHs 3-OCHs 6-F para 248.

CHs H OCHs CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 249.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 250.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 251.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 252.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 253.

H H OCHs H H -F ortho 254.

H H OCHs CHs H -F ortho 255.

CHs H OCHs H H -F ortho 256.

CHs H OCHs CH3 H -F ortho 257.

H H OCHs H H -F meta 258.

H H OCHs CHs H -F meta 259.

CHs H OCHs H H -F meta 21 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 260.

CH3 H OCHs CHs H -F meta 261.

H H OCHs H H -F para 262.

H H OCHs CHs H -F para 263.

CHs H OCHs H H -F para 264.

CHs H OCHs CHs H -F para 265.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F ortho 266.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F ortho 267.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F meta 268.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F meta 269.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F para 270.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 H -F para 271.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F ortho 272.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F ortho 273.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F meta 274.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F meta 275.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F para 276.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H -F para 277.

H H OCHs H 6-OCH3 -F meta 278.

H H OCHs CHs 6-OCH3 -F meta 279.

CHs H OCHs H 6-OCHs -F meta 280.

CHs H OCHs CH3 6-OCHs -F meta 281.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 282.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 283.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 284.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 285.

H H OCHs H 6-OCHF2 -F meta 286.

H H OCHs CHs 6-OCHF2 -F meta 287.

CHs H OCHs H 6-OCHF2 -F meta 288.

CHs H OCHs CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 289.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 290.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 291.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 292.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 293.

H H OCHs H 4-OCHs -F meta 294.

H H OCHs CHs 4-OCHs -F meta 295.

CHs H OCHs H 4-OCHs -F meta 296.

CHs H OCHs CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 297.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 22 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 298.

CH3 H OCHs CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 299.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 300.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 301.

H H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para 302.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH3 3-OCH3 -F para 303.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para 304.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 3-OCH3 -F para 305.

H H OCHs H 3-OCHs -F para 306.

H H OCHs CHs 3-OCHs -F para 307.

CHs H OCHs H 3-OCHs -F para 308.

CHs H OCHs CH3 3-OCHs -F para 309.

H H H H H 6-F ortho 310.

H H H CHs H 6-F ortho 311.

CHs H H H H 6-F ortho 312.

CHs H H CHs H 6-F ortho 313.

H H H H H 6-F meta 314.

H H H CHs H 6-F meta 315.

CHs H H H H 6-F meta 316.

CHs H H CHs H 6-F meta 317.

H H H H H 6-F para 318.

H H H CHs H 6-F para 319.

CHs H H H H 6-F para 320.

CHs H H CHs H 6-F para 321.

H H H CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 322.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 323.

H H H CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 324.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 325.

H H H CH2CH3 H 6-F para 326.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H 6-F para 327.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 328.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F ortho 329.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 330.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F meta 331.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F para 332.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H 6-F para 333.

H H H H 6-OCH3 6-F meta 334.

H H H CHs 6-OCH3 6-F meta 335.

CHs H H H 6-OCHs 6-F meta 23 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 336.

CH3 H H CHs 6-OCHs 6-F meta 337.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 338.

CHs H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 339.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 340.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 6-F meta 341.

H H H H 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 342.

H H H CHs 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 343.

CHs H H H 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 344.

CHs H H CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 345.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 346.

CHs H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 347.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 348.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 6-F meta 349.

H H H H 4-OCHs 6-F meta 350.

H H H CHs 4-OCHs 6-F meta 351.

CHs H H H 4-OCHs 6-F meta 352.

CHs H H CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 353.

H H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 354.

CHs H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 355.

H H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 356.

CHs H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 357.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 358.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs 6-F meta 359.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 360.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 361.

H H H H 3-OCHs 6-F para 362.

H H H CHs 3-OCHs 6-F para 363.

CHs H H H 3-OCHs 6-F para 364.

CHs H H CH3 3-OCHs 6-F para 365.

H H H H H -F ortho 366.

H H H CHs H -F ortho 367.

CHs H H H H -F ortho 368.

CHs H H CHs H -F ortho 369.

H H H H H -F meta 370.

H H H CHs H -F meta 371.

CHs H H H H -F meta 372.

CHs H H CHs H -F meta 373.

H H H H H -F para 24 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 374.

H H H CHs H -F para 375.

CH3 H H H H -F para 376.

CHs H H CHs H -F para 377.

H H H CH2CH3 H -F ortho 378.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H -F ortho 379.

H H H CH2CH3 H -F meta 380.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H -F meta 381.

H H H CH2CH3 H -F para 382.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H -F para 383.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F ortho 384.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F ortho 385.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F meta 386.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F meta 387.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F para 388.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H -F para 389.

H H H H 6-OCH3 -F meta 390.

H H H CHs 6-OCH3 -F meta 391.

CHs H H H 6-OCH3 -F meta 392.

CHs H H CH3 6-OCHs -F meta 393.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 394.

CHs H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 395.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 396.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 -F meta 397.

H H H H 6-OCHF2 -F meta 398.

H H H CHs 6-OCHF2 -F meta 399.

CHs H H H 6-OCHF2 -F meta 400.

CHs H H CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 401.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 402.

CHs H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 403.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 404.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 -F meta 405.

H H H H 4-OCHs -F meta 406.

H H H CHs 4-OCHs -F meta 407.

CHs H H H 4-OCHs -F meta 408.

CHs H H CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 409.

H H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 410.

CHs H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 411.

H H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 412.

CH3 H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para 413.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 414.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs -F meta 415.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para 416.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs -F para 417.

H H H H 3-OCHs -F para 418.

H H H CHs 3-OCHs -F para 419.

CHs H H H 3-OCHs -F para 420.

CHs H H CH3 3-OCHs -F para 421.

H H H H H H ortho 422.

H H H CHs H H ortho 423.

CHs H H H H H ortho 424.

CHs H H CHs H H ortho 425.

H H H H H H meta 426.

H H H CHs H H meta 427.

CHs H H H H H meta 428.

CHs H H CHs H H meta 429.

H H H H H H para 430.

H H H CHs H H para 431.

CHs H H H H H para 432.

CHs H H CHs H H para 433.

H H H CH2CH3 H H ortho 434.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H H ortho 435.

H H H CH2CH3 H H meta 436.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H H meta 437.

H H H CH2CH3 H H para 438.

CHs H H CH2CH3 H H para 439.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 440.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 441.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H H meta 442.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H H meta 443.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 H H para 444.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 H H para 445.

H H H H 6-OCH3 H meta 446.

H H H CHs 6-OCH3 H meta 447.

CHs H H H 6-OCHs H meta 448.

CHs H H CH3 6-OCHs H meta 449.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 26 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 450.

CH3 H H CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 451.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 452.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 453.

H H H H 6-OCHF2 H meta 454.

H H H CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 455.

CHs H H H 6-OCHF2 H meta 456.

CHs H H CHs 6-OCHF2 H meta 457.

H H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 458.

CHs H H CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 459.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 460.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 461.

H H H H 4-OCHs H meta 462.

H H H CHs 4-OCHs H meta 463.

CHs H H H 4-OCHs H meta 464.

CHs H H CH3 4-OCHs H meta 465.

H H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 466.

CHs H H CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 467.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 468.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 469.

H H H H 3-OCHs H para 470.

H H H CHs 3-OCHs H para 471.

CHs H H H 3-OCHs H para 472.

CHs H H CH3 3-OCHs H para 473.

H H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 474.

CHs H H CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 475.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 476.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 477.

H H F H H H ortho 478.

H H F CHs H H ortho 479.

CHs H F H H H ortho 480.

CHs H F CH3 H H ortho 481.

H H F H H H meta 482.

H H F CHs H H meta 483.

CHs H F H H H meta 484.

CHs H F CHs H H meta 485.

H H F H H H para 486.

H H F CHs H H para 487.

CHs H F H H H para 27 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 488.

CH3 H F CHs H H para 489.

H H F CH2CH3 H H ortho 490.

CHs H F CH2CH3 H H ortho 491.

H H F CH2CH3 H H meta 492.

CHs H F CH2CH3 H H meta 493.

H H F CH2CH3 H H para 494.

CHs H F CH2CH3 H H para 495.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 496.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 H H ortho 497.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 H H meta 498.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 H H meta 499.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 H H para 500.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 H H para 501.

H H F H 6-OCH3 H meta 502.

H H F CHs 6-OCH3 H meta 503.

CHs H F H 6-OCHs H meta 504.

CHs H F CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 505.

H H F CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 506.

CHs H F CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 507.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 508.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 6-OCH3 H meta 509.

H H F H 6-OCHF2 H meta 510.

H H F CHs 6-OCHF2 H meta 511.

CHs H F H 6-OCHF2 H meta 512.

CHs H F CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 513.

H H F CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 514.

CHs H F CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 515.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 516.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 6-OCHF2 H meta 517.

H H F H 4-OCHs H meta 518.

H H F CHs 4-OCHs H meta 519.

CHs H F H 4-OCHs H meta 520.

CHs H F CH3 4-OCHs H meta 521.

H H F CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 522.

CHs H F CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 523.

H H F CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 524.

CHs H F CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 525.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 28 No.

R1 R^ R6 R4 Rb* ** position of OCHF2*** 526.

CH3 H F CH2CH2CH3 4-OCHs H meta 527.

H H F CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 528.

CHs H F CH2CH2CH3 3-OCHs H para 529.

H H F H 3-OCHs H para 530.

H H F CH3 3-OCHs H para 531.

CHs H F H 3-OCHs H para 532.

CHs H F CHs 3-OCHs H para * position with respect to the sulfonyl moiety ** position as indicated in formula I *** position with respect to the sulfonyl moiety (ortho = 2-position, meta = 3-position, para = 4-position) Examples of compounds according to the present invention are the compounds of the formula I', their pharmacologically tolerated salts and the N-oxides thereof, wherein R5 is hydrogen and wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R6 is given in the following table B and wherein the sulfonyl group is attached to the benzene ring at the a-position with 10 respect to the dioxole ring: N-R (I') Table B: R1 R^ Ra R4 ** 533.

H H OCHs H H 534.

H H OCHs CHs H 535.

CHs H OCHs H H 536.

CHs H OCHs CHs H 537.

H H OCHF2 H H 538.

H H OCHF2 CHs H 539.

CHs H OCHF2 H H 540.

CHs H OCHF2 CHs H 541.

H H OCFs H H 542.

H H OCFs CHs H 543.

CHs H OCFs H H 544.

CHs H OCFs CHs H 29 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 545.

H H OCH2CH2F H H 546.

H H OCH2CH2F CHs H 547.

CH3 H OCH2CH2F H H 548.

CH3 H OCH2CH2F CHs H 549.

H CHs(rac) OCHs H H 550.

H CHs(rac) OCHs CHs H 551.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs H H 552.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs CHs H 553.

H CHs(rac) OCHF2 H H 554.

H CHs(rac) OCHF2 CHs H 555.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHF2 H H 556.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHF2 CHs H 557.

H CHs(rac) OCFs H H 558.

H CHs(rac) OCFs CHs H 559.

CHs CHs(rac) OCFs H H 560.

CHs CHs(rac) OCFs CHs H 561.

H CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F H H 562.

H CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F CHs H 563.

CHs CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F H H 564.

CHs CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F CHs H 565.

H CHs(S) OCHs CHs H 566.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs H H 567.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CHs H 568.

H CHs(S) OCHF2 H H 569.

H CHs(S) OCHF2 CHs H 570.

CHs CHs(S) OCHF2 H H 571.

CHs CHs(S) OCHF2 CHs H 572.

H CHs(S) OCFs H H 573.

H CHs(S) OCFs CHs H 574.

CHs CHs(S) OCFs H H 575.

CHs CHs(S) OCFs CHs H 576.

H CHs(S) OCH2CH2F H H 577.

H CHs(S) OCH2CH2F CHs H 578.

CHs CHs(S) OCH2CH2F H H 579.

CHs CHs(S) OCH2CH2F CHs H 580.

H CHs(R) OCHs CHs H 581.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs H H 582.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CHs H 583.

H CHs(R) OCHF2 H H r1 r^ R6 r4 ** 584. h chs(r) ochf2 CHs h 585. ch3 chs(r) ochf2 h h 586. ch3 chs(r) ochf2 CHs h 587. h chs(r) OCFs h h 588. h chs(r) OCFs CHs h 589.

CHs chs(r) OCFs h h 590.

CHs chs(r) OCFs CHs h 591. h chs(r) och2ch2f h h 592. h chs(r) och2ch2f CHs h 593.

CHs chs(r) och2ch2f h h 594.

CHs chs(r) och2ch2f CHs h 595. h h OCHs c2h5 h 596.

CHs h OCHs c2h5 h 597. h h ochf2 c2h5 h 598.

CHs h ochf2 c2h5 h 599. h h OCFs c2h5 h 600.

CHs h OCFs c2h5 h 601. h h och2ch2f c2h5 h 602.

CHs h och2ch2f c2h5 h 603. h chs(rac) OCHs c2h5 h 604.

CHs chs(rac) OCHs c2h5 h 605. h chs(rac) ochf2 c2h5 h 606.

CHs chs(rac) ochf2 c2h5 h 607. h chs(rac) OCFs c2h5 h 608.

CHs chs(rac) OCFs c2h5 h 609. h chs(rac) och2ch2f c2h5 h 610.

CHs chs(rac) och2ch2f c2h5 h 611. h chs(s) OCHs c2h5 h 612.

CHs chs(s) OCHs c2h5 h 613. h chs(s) ochf2 c2h5 h 614.

CHs chs(s) ochf2 c2h5 h 615. h chs(s) OCFs c2h5 h 616.

CHs chs(s) OCFs c2h5 h 617. h chs(s) och2ch2f c2h5 h 618.

CHs chs(s) och2ch2f c2h5 h 619. h chs(r) OCHs c2h5 h 620.

CHs chs(r) OCHs c2h5 h 621. h chs(r) ochf2 c2h5 h 622.

CHs chs(r) ochf2 c2h5 h 31 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 623.

H CHs(R) OCFs c2h5 H 624.

CH3 CHs(R) OCFs c2h5 H 625.

H CHs(R) OCH2CH2F c2h5 H 626.

CH3 CHs(R) OCH2CH2F c2h5 H 627.

H H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 628.

CHs H OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 629.

H H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 630.

CHs H OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 631.

H H OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 632.

CHs H OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 633.

H H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 634.

CHs H OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 635.

H CHs(rac) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 636.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 637.

H CHs(rac) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 638.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 639.

H CHs(rac) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 640.

CHs CHs(rac) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 641.

H CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 642.

CHs CHs(rac) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 643.

H CHs(S) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 644.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 645.

H CHs(S) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 646.

CHs CHs(S) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 647.

H CHs(S) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 648.

CHs CHs(S) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 649.

H CHs(S) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 650.

CHs CHs(S) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 651.

H CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 652.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CH3 H 653.

H CHs(R) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 654.

CHs CHs(R) OCHF2 CH2CH2CH3 H 655.

H CHs(R) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 656.

CHs CHs(R) OCFs CH2CH2CH3 H 657.

H CHs(R) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 658.

CHs CHs(R) OCH2CH2F CH2CH2CH3 H 659.

H H OCHs H 6-F 660.

H H OCHs CHs 6-F 661.

CHs H OCHs H 6-F 32 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 662.

CH3 H OCHs CHs 6-f 663.

H CHs(rac) OCHs H 6-f 664.

H CHs(rac) OCHs CHs 6-f 665.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs H 6-f 666.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs CHs 6-f 667.

H CHs(S) OCHs CHs 6-f 668.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs H 6-f 669.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CHs 6-f 670.

H CHs(R) OCHs CHs 6-f 671.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs H 6-f 672.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CHs 6-f 673.

H H OCHs c2h5 6-f 674.

CHs H OCHs c2h5 6-f 675.

H CHs(rac) OCHs c2h5 6-f 676.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs c2h5 6-f 677.

H CHs(S) OCHs c2h5 6-f 678.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs c2h5 6-f 679.

H CHs(R) OCHs c2h5 6-f 680.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs c2h5 6-f 681.

H H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-f 682.

CHs H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-f 683.

H CHs(rac) OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-f 684.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-f 685.

H CHs(S) OCHs ch2ch2ch3 6-f 686.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CH2CH2CHS 6-f 687.

H CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CHs 6-f 688.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CHs 6-f 689.

H H OCHs H -f 690.

H H OCHs CHs -f 691.

CHs H OCHs H -f 692.

CHs H OCHs CHs -f 693.

H CHs(rac) OCHs H -f 694.

H CHs(rac) OCHs CHs -f 695.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs H -f 696.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs CHs -f 697.

H CHs(S) OCHs CHs -f 698.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs H -f 699.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CHs -f 700.

H CHs(R) OCHs CHs -f 33 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 701.

CH3 CHs(R) OCHs H -F 702.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CHs -F 703.

H H OCHs c2h5 -F 704.

CHs H OCHs c2h5 -F 705.

H CHs(rac) OCHs c2h5 -F 706.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs c2h5 -F 707.

H CHs(S) OCHs c2h5 -F 708.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs c2h5 -F 709.

H CHs(R) OCHs c2h5 -F 710.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs c2h5 -F 711.

H H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 -F 712.

CHs H OCHs ch2ch2ch3 -F 713.

H CHs(rac) OCHs ch2ch2ch3 -F 714.

CHs CHs(rac) OCHs CH2CH2CHs -F 715.

H CHs(S) OCHs CH2CH2CHS -F 716.

CHs CHs(S) OCHs CH2CH2CHS -F 717.

H CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CHS -F 718.

CHs CHs(R) OCHs CH2CH2CHs -F 719.

H H H H 6-F 720.

H H H CHs 6-F 721.

CHs H H H 6-F 722.

CHs H H CHs 6-F 723.

H CHs(rac) H H 6-F 724.

H CHs(rac) H CHs 6-F 725.

CHs CHs(rac) H H 6-F 726.

CHs CHs(rac) H CHs 6-F 727.

H CHs(S) H CHs 6-F 728.

CHs CHs(S) H H 6-F 729.

CHs CHs(S) H CHs 6-F 730.

H CHs(R) H CHs 6-F 731.

CHs CHs(R) H H 6-F 732.

CHs CHs(R) H CHs 6-F 733.

H H H c2h5 6-F 734.

CHs H H c2h5 6-F 735.

H CHs(rac) H c2h5 6-F 736.

CHs CHs(rac) H c2h5 6-F 737.

H CHs(S) H c2h5 6-F 738.

CHs CHs(S) H c2h5 6-F 739.

H CHs(R) H c2h5 6-F 34 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 740.

CH3 CHs(R) H c2h5 6-F 741.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 742.

CH3 H H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 743.

H CHs(rac) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 744.

CHs CHs(rac) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 745.

H CHs(S) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 746.

CHs CHs(S) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 747.

H CHs(R) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 748.

CHs CHs(R) H CH2CH2CH3 6-F 749.

H H H H -F 750.

H H H CHs -F 751.

CHs H H H -F 752.

CHs H H CH3 -F 753.

H CHs(rac) H H -F 754.

H CHs(rac) H CHs -F 755.

CHs CHs(rac) H H -F 756.

CHs CHs(rac) H CHs -F 757.

H CHs(S) H CHs -F 758.

CHs CHs(S) H H -F 759.

CHs CHs(S) H CHs -F 760.

H CHs(R) H CHs -F 761.

CHs CHs(R) H H -F 762.

CHs CHs(R) H CHs -F 763.

H H H c2h5 -F 764.

CHs H H c2h5 -F 765.

H CHs(rac) H c2h5 -F 766.

CHs CHs(rac) H c2h5 -F 767.

H CHs(S) H c2h5 -F 768.

CHs CHs(S) H c2h5 -F 769.

H CHs(R) H c2h5 -F 770.

CHs CHs(R) H c2h5 -F 771.

H H H CH2CH2CH3 -F 772.

CHs H H CH2CH2CH3 -F 773.

H CHs(rac) H CH2CH2CH3 -F 774.

CHs CHs(rac) H CH2CH2CH3 -F 775.

H CHs(S) H CH2CH2CH3 -F 776.

CHs CHs(S) H CH2CH2CH3 -F 777.

H CHs(R) H CH2CH2CH3 -F 778.

CHs CHs(R) H CH2CH2CH3 -F R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 779.

H H H H H 780.

H H H CHs H 781.

CH3 H H H H 782.

CH3 H H CHs H 783.

H CHs(rac) H H H 784.

H CHs(rac) H CHs H 785.

CHs CHs(rac) H H H 786.

CHs CHs(rac) H CHs H 787.

H CHs(S) H CHs H 788.

CHs CHs(S) H H H 789.

CHs CHs(S) H CHs H 790.

H CHs(R) H CHs H 791.

CHs CHs(R) H H H 792.

CHs CHs(R) H CHs H 793.

H H H c2h5 H 794.

CHs H H c2h5 H 795.

H CHs(rac) H c2h5 H 796.

CHs CHs(rac) H c2h5 H 797.

H CHs(S) H c2h5 H 798.

CHs CHs(S) H c2h5 H 799.

H CHs(R) H c2h5 H 800.

CHs CHs(R) H c2h5 H 801.

H H H ch2ch2ch3 H 802.

CHs H H ch2ch2ch3 H 803.

H CHs(rac) H ch2ch2ch3 H 804.

CHs CHs(rac) H ch2ch2ch3 H 805.

H CHs(S) H ch2ch2ch3 H 806.

CHs CHs(S) H CH2CH2CHS H 807.

H CHs(R) H CH2CH2CHS H 808.

CHs CHs(R) H CH2CH2CHs H 809.

H H F H H 810.

H H F CHs H 811.

CHs H F H H 812.

CHs H F CHs H 813.

H CHs(rac) F H H 814.

H CHs(rac) F CHs H 815.

CHs CHs(rac) F H H 816.

CHs CHs(rac) F CHs H 817.

H CHs(S) F CHs H 36 R1 R^ R6 R4 ** 818.

CH3 CHs(S) F H H 819.

CHs CHs(S) F CHs H 820.

H CHs(R) F CHs H 821.

CHs CHs(R) F H H 822.

CHs CHs(R) F CHs H 823.

H H F c2h5 H 824.

CHs H F c2h5 H 825.

H CHs (rac) F c2h5 H 826.

CHs CHs (rac) F c2h5 H 827.

H CHs(S) F c2h5 H 828.

CHs CHs(S) F c2h5 H 829.

H CHs(R) F c2h5 H 830.

CHs CHs(R) F c2h5 H 831.

H H F ch2ch2ch3 H 832.

CHs H F ch2ch2ch3 H 833.

H CHs (rac) F ch2ch2ch3 H 834.

CHs CHs (rac) F ch2ch2ch3 H 835.

H CHs(S) F ch2ch2ch3 H 836.

CHs CHs(S) F CH2CH2CHS H 837.

H CHs(R) F CH2CH2CHS H 838.

CHs CHs(R) F CH2CH2CHs H rac: racemic with respect to CH-R2 S: S-enantiomer with respect to CH-R2 S: R-enantiomer with respect to CH-R2 ** position as indicated in formula I' Examples of compounds according to the present invention are likewise the compounds of the formula I', their pharmacologically tolerated salts and the N-oxides thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 is given in table B and wherein the sulfonyl group is 10 attached to the benzene ring at the IJ-position with respect to the dioxole ring.

The compounds I and I' according to the invention are prepared in analogy with methods known from the literature. An important approach to the compounds according to the invention is offered by the reaction of a 1-(piperazin-1-yl)-3-aminobenzene 15 compound II with a difluoromethoxy benzenesulfonic acid derivative III as depicted in scheme 1 or with a 2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxolesulfonic acid derivative Ilia as depicted in scheme 1a.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 37 CHF, *+GC (no Scheme 1a: ii o R (Ilia) Xw/ S > 0 N—S-(IVa) o ^R5 In schemes 1 and 1a, R2, R3, R5 and R6 have the previously mentioned meanings. Ra is a nitrogen protecting group or methyl Suitable N-protecting groups are described, for example, in P.J. Kocienski "Protecting Groups", 2nd ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, 10 Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literature cited therein. Preferred examples of N-protecting groups are e.g. oxycarbonyl groups such as Ci-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, e.g. methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl) and other oxycarbonyl groups such as benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) and 2-Trimethylsilylethoxycarbonyl (Teoc), or2-propenyl (allyl). X is a 15 nucleophilically displaceable leaving group, in particular a halogen atom and, especially, chlorine or bromine.

Compounds of the formulae IV and IVa, wherein Ra is a nitrogen protecting group, in particular a CrCe-alkoxycarbonyl group such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl and 20 Boc (tert-butoxycarbonyl), are novel.

Compounds of the formula IV, wherein Ra is linear methyl correspond to compounds I, wherein R1 is methyl. Compounds of the formula IVa, wherein Ra is linear methyl correspond to compounds I', wherein R1 is methyl.

The reaction depicted in schemes 1 and 1a takes place under the reaction conditions which are customary for preparing arylsulfonamide compounds or arylsulfonic esters, respectively, and which are described, for example, in J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1985 p 444 and the literature cited therein, European J. Org. Chem. 2002 (13), pp. 2094-2108, Tetrahedron 2001, 57 30 (27) pp. 5885-5895, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2000, 10(8), pp. 835-838 and Synthesis 2000 (1), pp. 103-108.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 38 The reaction customarily takes place in an inert solvent, for example in an ether, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, a halohydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane, an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon, such as pentane, hexane or cyclohexane, or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as 5 toluene, xylene, cumene and the like, or in a mixture of the abovementioned solvents. The reaction of compound II with compound III (or compound Ilia) is customarily carried out in the presence of an auxiliary base. Suitable bases are inorganic bases, such as sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, or sodium hydrogen carbonate or potassium hydrogen carbonate, and organic bases, for example trialkylamines, such as 10 triethylamine, or pyridine compounds, such as pyridine, lutidine and the like. The latter compounds can at the same time serve as solvents. The auxiliary base is customarily employed in at least equimolar quantities, based on the amine compound II.

The reaction of compound II with compound III or Ilia, respectively yields compound IV 15 or IVa, respectively, which, in case Ra is an N-protecting group, is deprotected to yield the compound of the general formula I or I', wherein R1 is hydrogen. Deprotection of the compound IV or IVa, respectively, can be achieved by standard methods, e.g. by the methods as described in P.J. Kocienski "Protecting Groups", 2nd ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literature cited therein.

Customary methods can then be used to react these compounds with an methylating agent such as methyliodide or dimethylsulfate resulting in a compound I or I', respectively, in which R1 is Ci-C3-alkyl or fluorinated Ci-C3-alkyl. The reaction conditions which are required for this methylating reaction are disclosed, for example, 25 in WO 02/83652, Tetrahedron 2000, 56(38) pp. 7553-7560 and Synlett. 2000 (4), pp. 475-480.

Likewise, it is possible to react the compound IV or IVa with a methylating agent such as methyliodide or dimethylsulfate to yield a compound of the formula IVc or IVd, respectively, wherein Ra, R2, R3, R5 and R6 are as defined above.

R' R—N R' R—N 39 N N (IVc) (IVd) If Ra in formulae IVb or IVd is an N-protecting group, compound IVc or IVd, respectively is deprotected to yield the compound of the general formula I, wherein R1 is hydrogen. 5 Deprotection of the compound IVc or IVd can be achieved by standard methods, e.g. by the methods as described in P.J. Kocienski "Protecting Groups", 2nd ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literature cited therein.

The compounds of the general formula II are known per se or can be prepared in the 10 manner shown in scheme 2.

Scheme 2: R2\ R\ R\ R\ a /=yR° I) ^'R° "> HfW VJ* —" (V) (VI) NO2 , R\ R\ R6 -R i") . ^-R A Da / \ ». R — N N—\\ / NO NH* inu2 (VII) v ' In scheme 2, Ra, R2, R3 and R6 have the previously mentioned meanings.

WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 40 In step i) of scheme 2, the compound V is subjected to a nitration under standard conditions thereby yielding compound VI. Reaction conditions can be taken e.g. from US 6,599,904 or from the working examples of the present application.

In step ii) of scheme 2, the NH-group of compound VI is protected, either by a conventional N-protecting group as defined above or by introducing a methyl group via a methylating agent such as methylbromide, methyliodide or dimethylsulfate. Introduction of an N-protecting group into compound V can be achieved by standard methods, e.g. by the methods as described in P.J. Kocienski "Protecting Groups", 2nd 10 ed., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pp 186-237 and in the literature cited therein. Methylation of compound VI is likewise achieved by standard methods of Organic chemistry.

In step iii), the nitro group in compound VII is reduced to the NH2 group to yield 15 compound II. The reaction conditions which are required for step b) correspond to the customary conditions for reducing aromatic nitro groups which have been described extensively in the literature (see, for example, J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3rd ed., J. Wiley & Sons, New-York, 1985, p. 1183 and the literature cited in this reference). The reduction can be achieved, for example, by reacting the nitro 20 compound VII with a metal such as iron, zinc or tin under acidic reaction conditions, i.e. using nascent hydrogen, or using a complex hydride such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride, preferably in the presence of transition metal compounds of nickel or cobalt such as NiCl2(P(phenyl)3)2, or CoCl2,(see Ono et al. Chem. Ind. (London), 1983 p.480), or using NaBhhSs (see Lalancette et al. Can. J. Chem. 49, 25 1971, p. 2990), with it being possible to carry out these reductions, depending on the given reagent, in substance or in a solvent or diluent. Alternatively, the reduction of VII to II can be carried out with hydrogen in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, e.g. using hydrogen in the presence of catalysts based on platinum, palladium, nickel, ruthenium or rhodium. The catalysts can contain the transition metal in elemental form 30 or in the form of a complex compound, of a salt or of an oxide of the transition metal, with it being possible, for the purpose of modifying the activity, to use customary coligands, e.g. organic phosphine compounds, such as triphenylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine or tri-n-butylphosphines or phosphites. The catalyst is customarily employed in quantities of from 0.001 to 1 mol per mol of compound VI, 35 calculated as catalyst metal. In a preferred variant, the reduction is effected using tin(ll) chloride in analogy with the methods described in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2002, 12(15), pp. 1917-1919 and J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45(21), pp. 4679-4688. The reaction of VII with tin(ll) chloride is preferably carried out in an inert organic solvent, preferably an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or butanol. 40 The compounds II, wherein R3 is trifluoromethoxy, can be prepared according to the following synthetic scheme 3 from the commercially available bromo-trifluoromethoxy- 41 nitro-benzene via Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig coupling with e.g. a protected piperazine derivative and subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the amino group as described for step iii) in scheme 2.

Scheme 3: The compounds of the formula IX, wherein R3 is difluoromethoxy can be prepared by reacting commercially available 2-bromo-4-nitrophenol with 2-chloro-2,2-difluoro-acetophenone by analogy to the method described in J. Hu et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 9845 to yield 2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzene, which is then convertied into the compound of the formula II with R3 being difluoromethoxy by analogy to the methods depicted in schemes 2 and 3.

The compounds of the formula II, wherein R3 is methoxy and R6 is fluorine, can also be prepared according to scheme 3 from the commercially available 1-bromo-fluoro~2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene via Pd-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig coupling with e.g. a protected piperazine derivative and subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the amino group as described for step iii) in scheme 2.

If not indicated otherwise, the above-described reactions are generally carried out in a solvent at temperatures between room temperature and the boiling temperature of the solvent employed. Alternatively, the activation energy which is required for the reaction can be introduced into the reaction mixture using microwaves, something which has proved to be of value, in particular, in the case of the reactions catalyzed by transition metals (with regard to reactions using microwaves, see Tetrahedron 2001, 57, p. 9199 ff. p. 9225 ff. and also, in a general manner, "Microwaves in Organic Synthesis", Andre Loupy (Ed.), Wiley-VCH 2002.

The acid addition salts of compounds I and I' are prepared in a customary manner by mixing the free base with a corresponding acid, where appropriate in solution in an organic solvent, for example acetonitrile, a lower alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol, an ether, such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether or diisopropyl ether, a ketone, such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, an ester, such as ethyl acetate, mixtures thereof as well as mixtures thereof with water.

II (VIII) (IX) N02 (VI) N02 WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 42 The compounds of the present invention can be a 5-HT6 receptor agonist, including partial agonistic activity, or a 5-HT6 receptor antagonist, including inverse agonist activity.

The compounds of formulae I and I' according to the present invention, as well as their salts and their N-oxides, have a surprisingly high affinity for 5-HT6 receptors. The high affinity of the compounds according to the invention for 5-HT6 receptors is reflected in very low in-vitro receptor binding constants (Ki(5-HTe) values) of as a rule less than 50 nM (nmol/l), preferably of less than 10 nM and, in particular of less than 5 nM. The 10 displacement of 3H-LSD can, for example, be used in receptor binding studies for determining binding affinities to 5-HT6 receptors.

Furthermore the compounds of formulae I and I', as well as their salts and their N-oxides, are highly selective 5-HT6 receptor ligands which, because of their low affinity 15 for other receptors such as dopamine receptors, adrenergic receptors, muscarinic receptors, histamine receptors, opiate receptors, in particular dopamine D2, ai-adrenergic and histamine Hi receptors, give rise to fewer side-effects than other, less selective 5-HT6 ligands.

For instance the 5-HT6/D2, 5-HT6/ai-adrenergic or 5-HT6/Hiselectivities of the compounds according to the present invention, i.e. the ratios Ki(D2)/Ki(5-HT6), Ki(ai-adrenergic)/Ki(5-HT6) or Ki(Hi)/Ki(5-HT6) of the receptor binding constants, is as a rule at least 25, preferably at least 50, even better at least 100.

The displacement of [3H]SCH23390 or [125l]spiperone can be used, for example, for carrying out receptor binding studies on D1, D2 and D4 receptors.

Furthermore the compounds of the present invention because of their structural features are susceptible to display an enhanced brain penetration than other known 5-30 HT6 receptor ligands.

Because of their binding profile, the compounds of the present invention can be used for treating diseases which respond to 5-HT6 receptor ligands (or which are susceptible to treatment with a 5-HT6 receptor ligand), i.e. they are effective for treating those 35 medical disorders or diseases in which exerting an influence on (modulating) the 5-HT6 receptors leads to an improvement in the clinical picture or to the disease being cured. Examples of these diseases are disorders or diseases of the central nervous system.

Disorders or diseases of the central nervous system are understood as meaning 40 disorders which affect the spinal cord and, in particular, the brain. Within the meaning of the invention, the term "disorder" denotes disturbances and/or anomalies which are as a rule regarded as being pathological conditions or functions and which can RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 43 manifest themselves in the form of particular signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions. While the treatment described herein can be directed toward individual disorders, i.e. anomalies or pathological conditions, it is also possible for several anomalies, which may be causatively linked to each other, to be combined into patterns, i.e. syndromes, 5 which can be treated as described herein.

The disorders which can be treated as described herein are in particular disorders which respond to a modulation of the 5-HT6 receptor. They include cognitive dysfunctions, such as a deficit in memory, cognition and learning, in particular 10 associated with Alzheimer's disease, age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome, personality disorders, such as schizophrenia, in particular cognitive deficits related with schizophrenia, affective disorders such as depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders, motion or motor disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, migraine, sleep 15 disorders (including disturbances of the Circadian rhythm), feeding disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, certain gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diseases associated with neurodegeneration, such as stroke, spinal or head trauma and head injuries, such as hydrocephalus, addiction diseases including e.g. drug addiction and obesity.

The addiction diseases include psychic disorders and behavioral disturbances which are caused by the abuse of psychotropic substances, including certain pharmaceuticals, such as sedative, anxiolytica, hypnotics or narcotics (hereinafter also referred to as drug addiction), and also other addiction diseases, such as addiction to 25 gaming (gambling; impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified). Examples of addictive substances are: opioids (e.g. morphine, heroin and codeine), cocaine; nicotine; alcohol; substances which interact with the GABA chloride channel complex, sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers, for example benzodiazepines; LSD; cannabinoids; psychomotor stimulants, such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-30 methylamphetamine (ecstasy); amphetamine and amphetamine-like substances such as methylphenidate and other stimulants including caffeine. Addictive substances which come particularly into consideration are opioids, cocaine, amphetamine or amphetamine-like substances, hallucinogens, NMDA-receptor antagonists such phencyclidine and related cyclidines, dextrometorphan, dextrorphan, ibogaine, ketimine 35 and tiletamine, cannabis, nicotine and alcohol. Other addiction diseases include gaming (gambling), including problem gambling (compulsive gambling, ludomania), computer or video game addiction and internet addiction.

With regard to the treatment of addiction diseases, particular preference is given to 40 those compounds according to the present invention which themselves do not possess any psychotropic effect. This can also be observed in a test using rats, which, after having been administered compounds which can be used in accordance with the RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 44 invention, reduce their self administration of psychotropic substances, for example cocaine or alcohol.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the compounds according to the 5 invention are suitable for treating disorders whose causes can at least partially be attributed to an anomalous activity of 5-HT6 receptors.

As described herein, the treatment is directed, in particular, toward those disorders which can be influenced, within the sense of an expedient medicinal treatment, by the 10 binding of preferably exogeneously administered binding partners (ligands) to 5-HT6 receptors.

The diseases which can be treated with the compounds according to the invention are frequently characterized by progressive development, i.e. the above-described 15 conditions change over the course of time; as a rule, the severity increases and conditions may possibly merge into each other or other conditions may appear in addition to those which already exist.

The compounds of the present invention can be used to treat a large number of signs, 20 symptoms and/or malfunctions which are connected with the disorders of the central nervous system and, in particular, the abovementioned conditions. These signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions include, for example, a disturbed relationship to reality, lack of insight and ability to meet customary social norms or the demands made by life, changes in temperament, changes in individual drives, such as hunger, sleep, thirst, 25 etc., and in mood, disturbances in the ability to observe and combine, changes in personality, in particular emotional lability, hallucinations, ego-disturbances, distractedness, ambivalence, autism, depersonalization and false perceptions, delusional ideas, chanting speech, lack of synkinesia, short-step gait, flexed posture of trunk and limbs, tremor, poverty of facial expression, monotonous speech, 30 depressions, apathy, impeded spontaneity and decisiveness, impoverished association ability, anxiety, nervous agitation, stammering, social phobia, panic disturbances, withdrawal symptoms in association with dependency, maniform syndromes, states of excitation and confusion, dysphoria, dyskinetic syndromes and tic disorders, e.g. Huntington's chorea and Gilles-de-la-Tourette's syndrome, vertigo syndromes, e.g. 35 peripheral positional, rotational and oscillatory vertigo, melancholia, hysteria, hypochondria and the like.

As described herein, a treatment also includes a preventive treatment (prophylaxis), in particular as relapse prophylaxis or phase prophylaxis, as well as the treatment of 40 acute or chronic signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions. The treatment can be orientated symptomatically, for example as the suppression of symptoms. It can be effected over RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 45 a short period, be orientated over the medium term or can be a long-term treatment, for example within the context of a maintenance therapy.

The compounds according to the invention are preferentially suitable for treating 5 diseases of the central nervous system, more preferably for treating cognitive dysfunctions and in particular, for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia or with Alzheimer's disease.

According to another aspect of the invention the compounds of the present invention 10 are particularly suitable for treating addiction diseases caused for instance by the abuse of psychotropic substances, such as pharmaceuticals, narcotics, nicotine or alcohol, including psychic disorders and behavioral disturbances related thereto. The compounds of the present invention are likewise particularly suitable for treating addiction diseases which are not caused by the abuse of psychotropic substances, 15 such as gaming (gambling), including problem gambling (compulsive gambling, ludomania), computer or video game addiction and internet addiction. With regard to addiction diseases, the compound of the present invention can be used for the therapy during addiction and also for preventing relapse into addiction.

According to another aspect of the invention the compounds of formulae (I) and (I)', their salts and their N-oxides are particularly suitable for treating nutritional disorders, such as obesity, as well as diseases related thereto, such as cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, cancer or type 2 diabetes.

Within the context of the treatment, the use described herein of the described compounds involves a method. In this method, an effective quantity of one or more compounds, as a rule formulated in accordance with pharmaceutical and veterinary practice, is administered to the individual to be treated, preferably a mammal, in particular a human being, productive animal or domestic animal. Whether such a 30 treatment is indicated, and in which form it is to take place, depends on the individual case and is subject to medical assessment (diagnosis) which takes into consideration signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions which are present, the risks of developing particular signs, symptoms and/or malfunctions, and other factors.

As a rule, the treatment is effected by means of single or repeated daily administration, where appropriate together, or alternating, with other active compounds or active compound-containing preparations such that a daily dose of preferably from about 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg of bodyweight, in the case of oral administration, or of from about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg of bodyweight, in the case of parenteral administration, is supplied to an 40 individual to be treated.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 46 Described herein is the production of pharmaceutical compositions for treating an individual, preferably a mammal, in particular a human being, productive animal or domestic animal. Thus, the compounds of formulae I or I', their salts and/or their N-oxides are customarily administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions which 5 comprise a pharmaceutical^ acceptable excipient together with at least one compound according to the invention and, where appropriate, other active compounds. These compositions can, for example, be administered orally, rectally, transdermal^, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly or intranasally.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutical formulations are solid medicinal forms, such as powders, granules, tablets, in particular film tablets, lozenges, sachets, cachets, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, such as hard gelatin capsules and soft gelatin capsules, suppositories or vaginal medicinal forms, semisolid medicinal forms, such as ointments, creams, hydrogels, pastes or plasters, and also liquid medicinal forms, such as solutions, emulsions, in particular oil-in-water emulsions, suspensions, for example lotions, injection preparations and infusion preparations, and eyedrops and eardrops. Implanted release devices can also be used for administering inhibitors according to the invention. In addition, it is also possible to use liposomes or microspheres.

When producing the compositions, the compounds according to the invention are optionally mixed or diluted with one or more excipients. Excipients can be solid, semisolid or liquid materials which serve as vehicles, carriers or medium for the active compound.

Suitable excipients are listed in the specialist medicinal monographs. In addition, the formulations can comprise pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or customary auxiliary substances, such as glidants; wetting agents; emulsifying and suspending agents; preservatives; antioxidants; antiirritants; chelating agents; coating auxiliaries; emulsion stabilizers; film formers; gel formers; odor masking agents; taste corrigents; resin; hydrocolloids; solvents; solubilizers; neutralizing agents; diffusion accelerators; pigments; quaternary ammonium compounds; refatting and overfatting agents; raw materials for ointments, creams or oils; silicone derivatives; spreading auxiliaries; stabilizers; sterilants; suppository bases; tablet auxiliaries, such as binders, fillers, glidants, disintegrants or coatings; propellants; drying agents; opacifiers; thickeners; waxes; plasticizers and white mineral oils. A formulation in this regard is based on specialist knowledge as described, for example, in Fiedler, H.P., Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe fur Pharmazie, Kosmetik und angrenzende Gebiete [Encyclopedia of auxiliary substances for pharmacy, cosmetics and related fields], 4th edition, Aulendorf: ECV-Editio-Kantor-Verlag, 1996. 40 The following examples serve to explain the present invention without limiting its scope. 47 The compounds were either characterized via proton-NMR in d6-dimethylsulfoxid or d-chloroform on a 400 MHz or 500 MHz NMR instrument (Bruker AVANCE), or by mass spectrometry, generally recorded via HPLC-MS in a fast gradient on C18-material (electrospray-ionisation (ESI) mode), or melting point.

The magnetic nuclear resonance spectral properties (NMR) refer to the chemical shifts (5) expressed in parts per million (ppm). The relative area of the shifts in the 1H NMR spectrum corresponds to the number of hydrogen atoms for a particular functional type in the molecule. The nature of the shift, as regards multiplicity, is indicated as 10 singlet (s), broad singlet (s. br.), doublet (d), broad doublet (d br.), triplet (t), broad triplet (t br.), quartet (q), quintet (quint.) and multiplet (m).

I. Preparation of the intermediate compounds II PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1: 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester o-^ch3 ch3 0-ch3 1.1 1-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine 63 mL of 5 M sulphuric acid were dropwise added to 60 g of commercially available 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine (312 mmol) within 30 minutes at 0°C, followed by the addition of 306 mL of concentrated sulphuric acid. The mixture was stirred for 90 minutes. Then 25.2 g of potassium nitrate (249.65 mmol) were added in portions within 1 h. After stirring for 3 h, another 3.16 g of potassium nitrate (31.2 mmol) were added. When the reaction was complete, the mixture was poured onto 1 kg of ice water and the pH was adjusted to pH 12 with aqueous sodium hydroxide. 300 mL of water were added, the aqueous phase was extracted three times with 300 mL of ethyl acetate each. The organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 48.7 g of crude product. This material was dissolved in a small amount of diethyl ether. Crystallization started upon scratching the glass surface. The residue was filtered, washed with cold diethyl ether, and dried to yield 34.2 g of the title compound.

ESI-MS: 238.1 [M+H]+ 48 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s, broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF2), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 5 (s, 3H),3.2(m, 4H), 3.1 (m, 4H). 1.2 4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester To a solution of 20 g of 1-(2-methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine (84.29 mmol) in 10 300 ml of tetrahydrofurane, 9.3 g of di-tert.-butyldicarbonate (88.51 mmol) were added dropwise at room temperature. After stirring for 16 h, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in 250 mL of ethyl acetate. The solution was washed twice with 150 mL water each. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced 15 pressure to yield 33.1 g of the title compound as a yellowish oil that crystallizes upon standing.

ESI-MS: 338.1 [M+H]+ 1.3 4-(5-Amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 33 g of 4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (97.8 mmol) were dissolved in 450 mL of methanol. 3 g of 10% Pd/C were added at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere, and the reaction mixture was 25 hydrogenated for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered over Celite, the was solvent evaporated and the remaining residue was treated with 100 mL of diisopropylether. Once crystallization started, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the remaining product dried thoroughly. This material was used in subsequent steps without further purification.

ESI-MS: 308.4 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s, broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 35 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF2), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m, 4H). 1.4 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 40 49 0.745 g of 4-(5-Amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.423 mmol) were dissolved in 35 ml of pyridine. 0.588 g of 3-(difluoromethoxy)-benzene-sulfonylchloride were added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 72 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated, the residue was dissolved in 40 ml dichloromethane and the organic phase was washed twice with 30 ml aqueous saturated ammonium chloride. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified three times via silica gel chromatography using dichloromethane-methanol, and dichloromethane-ethyl acetate as eluent. 0.94 g of the title compound were isolated.

ESI-MS: 514.2 [M+H]+ PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2: 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester To a suspension of 0.015 g (0.374 mmol) of sodium hydride (60% in paraffin oil) in 2 mL of dimethylformamide 0.16 g of 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.311 mmol) from preparation example 1 were added at room temperature. After stirring for 30 minutes at 60°C, a solution of 0.053 g methyliodide (0.374 mmol) in 1 mL dimethylformamide were 25 added dropwise. Stirring was continued for 16 h at room temperature before the solvent was evaporated. Then, 15 mL of water were added, and the aqueous phase was extracted twice with 10 mL of ethyl acetate each. The organic phases were combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 0.156 g of crude title product which was further 30 purified via silica gel chromatography.

ESI-MS: 528.2 [M+H]+ PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3: 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-35 trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester o-cf, 3.1 4-(5-Nitro-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester A mixture of 0.048 g palladium(ll)-acetate (0.214 mmol) and 0.133 g BINAP (0.214 mmol) in 7 mL toluene was heated to 60°C, stirred for 10 min. and the obtained suspension was added dropwise to a solution of 0.51 g 2-bromo-4-nitro-1-(trifluoromethoxy)benzene (1.783 mmol), 0.343 g tert.butyl-piperazine-1-carboxylate (1.842 mmol) and 0.232 g sodium tert-butoxide (2.414 mmol) in 8 mL 10 of toluene. The thus obtained reaction mixture was treated at 130°C for 1.5 h in a commercial microwave oven. The organic layer was washed with water, the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane and the combined organic layers were extracted with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The 15 crude product was further purified via silica gel chromatography using a ISCO Companion system (eluent cyclohexane-ethyl acetate 5-25%) to yield 0.413 g of product.

ESI-MS: 336.0 (-tBu) [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.0 (m, 4H), 285 (m, 4H), 0.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s, broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF2), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m, 4H), 3.1 (m, 4H). 3.2 4-(5-Amino-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 0.41 g of 4-(5-Nitro-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-30 butyl ester (1.055 mmol) were dissolved in 10 mL ethyl acetate and 10 mL acetic acid. 0.12 g 10% Palladium/charcoal were added and the mixture hydrogenated for 3 h at room temperature. The catalyst was filtered over Celite, washed with ethyl acetate and the combined filtrates evaporated to dryness. The residue was treated with water, the pH adjusted to 9-10 with 1 N aquous sodium hydroxide 35 and the aquous phase extracted twice with dichloromethane. The combined 51 organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 0.372 g of the product.

ESI-MS: 362.1 [M+H]+ 3.3 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 0.22 g of the product were obtained following the synthesis of 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. In the final purification step via silica gel chromatography, cyclohexane-ethyl acetate (10-35%) was used as eluent.

ESI-MS: 512.0 (-tBu) [M+H]+ PREPARATION EXAMPLE 4: 4-{5-[(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester The compound was prepared as described in preparation example 1 from 4-(2-Methoxy-5-nitro-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and reaction with commercially available (2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS: 528.2 [M+H]+ II. Preparation of the compounds I Example 1: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 0.17 g of 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-methoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.331 mmol) from preparation example 1 were treated with 1 ml of 5 N HCI in isopropanol for 3 h at 35°C. The solvent was evaporated and 5 mL of diethyl ether were added. The product started to crystallize upon scratching the glass surface. The solvent was evaporated and the solid dried thoroughly at room temperature to yield 0.125 g of title compound. 52 ESI-MS: 414.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.1 (s, 1H), 9.8-9.9 (s, broad, 2H), 7.5-7.65 (m, 5 2H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF2), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H). 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (m,4H), 3.1 (m, 4H).

Example 2: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-methyl-benzene-10 sulfonamide hydrochloride 0.3 g (0.584 mmol) 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester from preparation example 2 were dissolved in 8 mL of ethanol and 0.8 mL of 5 N HCI in isopropanol were added. 15 After stirring for 16 h at room temperature, the solvent was evaporated to yield 0.255 g of title compound.

ESI-MS: 428.5 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.3-9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H, CHF2), 7.2 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.0-3.2 (11H).

Example 3: 4-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide 0.18 mL of 4-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonyl chloride (1.13 mmol) were added to a solution of 0.25 g of (1.13 mmol) 4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenylamine in 30 10 mL of pyridine. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated at reduced pressure. After addition of toluene and dichloromethane the mixture was again evaporated twice. The thus obtained residue was partitioned between dichloromethane and 5% aqueous ammoniumchloride. The organic phase was washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried 35 over sodium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The obtained crude product was further purified via HPLC to yield 0.395 g of the desired title compound.

ESI-MS: 428.1 [M+H]+ 40 WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 53 1H-NMR(CDCI3, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.15 (d, 2H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 6.6 (t, 1H, CHF2), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.6 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 2h), 3.0-3.15 (M,4h), 2.85 (S, 3H).

Example 4: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The title compound was prepared by treatment of 4-{5-[(2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-10 4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with HCI in ether and dichloromethane as solvent.

ESI-MS: 428.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (MeOD, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 7.0 (s, 1H), 6.9 15 (d, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.5 (m, 4H), 3.35 (m, 4H).

Example 5: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide 285 mg of the product were obtained by reaction of 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride with formaldehyde, sodium triacetoxyborohydride and sodium sulphate in dichloromethane.

ESI-MS: 442.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (CDCIs, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.35 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.1 (t, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 2.95 (broad, 4H), 2.75 (broad, 4H), 2.5 (s, 3H).

Example 6: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 0.22 g 4-[5-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.388 mmol) were dissolved in 5 ml 35 dichloromethane. 1.5 mL 6 N hydrochlorid acid in isopropanol were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. The solvents were evaporated, the residue was dissolved in water and the pH was adjusted to 8-9 with 1 N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. Thereby a white suspension formed, which was extracted once with a mixture of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane. The still 40 existent suspensions were filtered, and the combined organic filtrates were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 0.140 g of the desired product. 54 ESI-MS: 468.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H, 5 CHF2), 7.1 (d, 1H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 2.8 (m, broad, 8H).

Example 7: 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide trifluoroacetate The compound was prepared starting from commercially available 2-bromo-4-nitrophenol, which was reacted with 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroacetophenone (J. Hu et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 9845) to yield 2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzene. Subsequent Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of 2-bromo-1-difluoromethoxy-4-nitro-benzene 15 with tert.butyloxycarbonyl-piperazine by analogy to preparation example 3.1, reduction of the nitro group to the corresponding aniline by analogy to preparation example 3.2, subsequent coupling with commercially available 2-difluoromethoxybenzene-sulfonylchloride by analogy to preparation example 1.4, and final deprotection under acidic conditions by analogy to example 1 yielded the title compound.

ESI-MS: 450.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 7.0 (t, 1H), 7.0 (d, 1H), 6.8 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 3.2 25 (broad, 4H), 3.0 (broad, 4H).

Example 8: -Difluoromethoxy-2-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzene-sulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of 4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 5-difluoromethoxy-2-methoxybenzenesulfonylchloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 444.1 [M+H]+ 40 Example 9: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 55 The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 7, starting from commercially available 1-bromo-3-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene, which was reacted with tert.butyloxycarbonyl-piperazine by analogy to preparation example 3.1 top yield 1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-nitrobenzene. Reduction of the nitro group to 5 the corresponding aniline by analogy to preparation example 3.2, subsequent coupling with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonylchloride by analogy to preparation example 1.4, and final deprotection of the tert.-butoxycarbonyl group under acidic conditions by analogy to example 1 yielded the title compound.

ESI-MS: 432.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.6 (s, 1H), 9.6 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 8H).

Example 10: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 9 using commercially available 20 2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloride instead of 3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS: 446.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.8 (s, broad, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.3 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 11: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 9, starting from commercially available 2-bromo-1-(2-fluoroethoxy)-4-nitrobenzene, which was reacted with tert.butyl-35 oxycarbonyl-piperazine. Subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the corresponding aniline compound 1 -(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-aminobenzene. Subsequent coupling of the aniline with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxy benzene sulfonylchloride, and final deprotection of the tert.-butoxycarbonyl group under acidic conditions yielded the title compound. 40 ESI-MS: 446.2 [M+H]+ WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 56 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.1 (s, broad, 1H), 8.6 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.6 (m, 1H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 12: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 9 using commercially available 10 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloride and 1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-aminobenzene from Example 11.

ESI-MS: 460.2 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 8.6 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.36 (m, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (s, 1H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 4.2 (m, 1H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 13: 3-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of 4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and commercially 25 available 3-difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy benzene sulfonylchloride, followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 444.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.9 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 7.1 (s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (m, 2H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 14: 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide trifluoroacetate The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of 4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially 40 available 2-difluoromethoxy benzene sulfonylchloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 414.1 [M+H]+ 57 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.65 (t, 1H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (m, 2H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 5 4H), 3.0 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 15: 4-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of 4-(5-amino-2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 4-difluoromethoxy benzene sulfonylchloride followed by deprotection.

ESI-MS: 414.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 8.95 (s, broad, 2H), 7.75 (d, 2H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (d, 2H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 6.65 (m, 2H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.05 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 16: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-ethyl-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described for Preparation Example 2 and Examples 1 and 5 from 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxyphenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with sodium hydride and ethylbromide to yield 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-ethyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1 -carboxylic acid tert-30 butyl ester, which was deprotected and subsequently subjected to reductive amination with aqueous formaldehyde and sodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for example 5 to yield the title compound.

ESI-MS: 456.2 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 11.3 (s, broad, 1H), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.4 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3,55 (m, 2H), 3.4 (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 2H), 3.15 (m, 2H), 2.9 (m, 2H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 0.95 (t, 3H). 40 Example 17: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride 58 The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described for Preparation Example 2 and Example 1 from 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with 5 sodium hydride and 3-fluoro-1-bromopropane to yield 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl)-(3-fluoropropyl)amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, which was deprotected to yield the title compound.

ESI-MS: 474.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.3 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.4 (s, 1H), 4.5 (t, 1H), 4,4 (t, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.65 (t, 2H), 3.15 (s, broad, 4H), 3.05 (s, broad, 4H), 1.75 (m, 1H), 1.7 (m, 1H).

Example 18: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-propyl-benzene-sulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by analogy to the methods described for Preparation Example 2 and Example 1 from 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, which was reacted with sodium hydride and 1-bromopropane to yield 4-{5-[(3-difluoromethoxy-benzene-sulfonyl)-propylamino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester, 25 which was deprotected to yield the title compound.

ESI-MS: 456.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.4 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.45 30 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.4 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3,45 (m, 2H), 3.15 (m, 4H), 3.05 (m, 4H), 1.3 (m, 2H), 0.8 (t, 3H).

Example 19: N-(2-Chloro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethoxy-benzene-35 sulfonamide trifluoroacetate The compound was prepared by reaction of N-(4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride with 3 equivalents of iodine monochloride. 40 ESI-MS: 448.1 [M+H]+ WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 59 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.0 (s, 1H), 9.0 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6 (t, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.2 (broad, 4H), 3.0 (broad, 4H).

Example 20: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by reaction of 3-difluoromethoxy-N-[3-(piperazin-1-yl)-4-10 trifluoromethoxyphenyl]-benzenesulfonamide (compound of Example 6) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for Example 5.

ESI-MS: 482.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 11.2 (broad, 1H), 10.8 (broad, 1H), 7.65 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.3 (s, 1H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 6.9 (s, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H), 3.0-3.4 (broad, 8H), 2.8 (s, 3H).

Example 21: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-methyl-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by reaction of 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-methyl-amide hydrochloride (compound of 25 example 23) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for Example 5.

ESI-MS: 456.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 11.2 (broad, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.4 (t, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, 3H), 3.1-3.5 (broad, 8H), 2.75 (s, 3H).

Example 22: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid ethyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by reaction of 4-{5-[(2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 40 with sodium hydride and ethylbromide, and subsequent deprotection of the tert-butoxycarbonyl group with hydrochlorid acid in isopropanol.

ESI-MS: 456.2 [M+H]+ 60 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.4 (t, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.15 (broad, 4H), 5 3.05 (broad, 4H), 1.0 (t,3H).

Example 23: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid methyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by reaction of 4-{5-[(2,2-difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl)-methyl-amino]-2-methoxy-phenyl}-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with sodium hydride and methyliodide by analogy to Preparation Example 3, and subsequent deprotection of the tert-butoxycarbonyl group with hydrochloric acid in 15 isopropanol.

ESI-MS: 442.2 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.5 (s, broad, 2H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.4 (t, 1H), 7.3 20 (d, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.2 (s, 3H), 3.15 (broad, 4H), 3.1 (broad, 4H).

Example 24: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-methyl-25 benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by reaction of 3-difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (compound of example 2) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodium triacetoxyborohydride as 30 described for example 5.

ESI-MS: 442.2 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 11.3 (s, broad, 1H), 7.7 (t, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.4 35 (m, 2H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 6.9 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.3-3.5 (m, 4H), 3.1-3.2 (m, 2H), 3.1 (s, 3H), 2.9 (m, 2H), 2.75 (d, 3H).

Example 25: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-40 benzenesulfonamide WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 61 The compound was prepared by reaction of 3-difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride (compound of example 1) with aqueous formaldehyde and sodium triacetoxyborohydride as described for example 5.

ESI-MS: 428.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 9.9 (s, broad, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.5 (s, 1H), 3.7 (s, 3H), 2.8 (broad, 10 4H), 2.4 (broad, 4H), 2.2 (s, 3H).

Example 26: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 9, starting from commercially available 2-bromo-1-fluoro-4-nitrobenzene, which was reacted with tert.butyl-oxycarbonyl-piperazine. Subsequent reduction of the nitro group to the corresponding aniline compound 1-(N-boc-piperazin-4-yl)-2-fluoro-5-aminobenzene. Subsequent 20 coupling of the aniline with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloride, and final deprotection of the tert.-butoxycarbonyl group under acidic conditions yielded the title compound.

ESI-MS: 402.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.4 (s, 1H), 9.3 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 3.2 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 27: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared by analogy to Example 26 using commercially available 35 2,2-difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonylchloride instead of 3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloride.

ESI-MS: 416.1 [M+H]+ 40 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.7 (s, 1H), 8.7 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 3.3 (s, broad, 4H), 3.1 (s, broad, 4H). 62 Example 28: 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 1 by reaction of 4-(5- aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 3-difluoromethoxybenzene sulfonylchloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 384.2 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.3 (s, 1H), 9.1 (s, broad, 2H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.7 (m, 2H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 3.24 (s, broad, 4H), 3.18 (s, broad, 4H).

Example 29: 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide hydrochloride The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of of 4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 2,2-Difluorobenzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonyl chloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 398.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 10.7 (s, 1H), 9.0 (s, broad, 2H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.7 (m, 2H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 3.2 (broad, 8H).

Example 30: 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide trifluoroacetate The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of of 4-(5-35 aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 2-difluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 384.1 [M+H]+ 40 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.9 (d, 1H), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.3 (m, 2H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 6.9 (m, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.45 (m, 2H), 2.9 (m, 4H), 2.8 (m, 4H). 63 Example 31: 3-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide trifluoroacetate The compound was prepared as described for Example 28 by reaction of of 4-(5-aminophenyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester with commercially available 3-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl chloride followed by deprotection under acidic conditions.

ESI-MS: 414.1 [M+H]+ 1H-NMR (DMSO-de, 400 Hz): 5 [ppm] 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.5 (s, 1H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.9 (m, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.4 (m, 2H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 2.9 (s, broad, 4H), 2.75 (s, 15 broad, 4H).

III. Biological investigations Displacement of radioligands binding to the following cloned human receptors 1. Preparation of membranes by ultrasonic treatment and differential centrifugation Cells from stable clonal cell lines expressing the corresponding receptor (5-HT6, ai-adrenergic, dopamine D2 or histamine Hi receptors) were washed with PBS (w/o 25 Ca++, Mg++) and harvested in PBS with 0.02% EDTA. The cells were collected by centrifugation at 500 g for 10 min. at 4°C, washed with PBS and centrifuged (500 g, 10 min. 4°C). The pellets were stored at -80°C until use. For membrane preparation, the thawed cell pellet was resuspended in ice-cold sucrose buffer (0.25 M sucrose, 10 mM Hepes (pH 7.4), 1 mM Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) in DMSO, 5 |^g/ml 30 Pepstatin-A, 3 mM EDTA, 0.025 % Bacitracin) and homogenized with a Branson Sonifier W-250 (Settings: Timer 4; Output Control 3; Duty Cycle constant; 2 to 3 cycles). Cell disruption was checked with the aid of a microscope. Remaining unbroken cells were pelleted at 1.000 g for 10 min. at 4°C. The sucrose buffer supernatant was then centrifuged at 60.000 g for 1h at 4°C (Beckman Ultrazentrifuge XL 80). The pellet 35 was resuspended in 30 ml ice-cold Tris buffer (20 mM TRIS (pH 7.4), 5 |^g/ml Pepstatin A, 0.1 mM PMSF, 3 mM EDTA) by pipetting through a 10 ml serological pipet and centrifuged for 1 h at 4°C at 60.000 g. A final resuspension was performed in a small volume of ice-cold Tris buffer (see above) by pressing through a serological pipet followed by ultrasonic treatment with a Branson Sonifier W-250 (Settings: Timer 1; 40 Output Control 3; Duty Cycle constant; 1 cycle). Protein concentration was determined (BCA-Kit; Pierce) and aliquots stored at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen for long-term storage. 64 2. Receptor binding experiments All receptor binding experiments were carried out in the corresponding assay buffer in 5 a total volume of 200 pi in the presence of various concentrations of test compound (10-5 M to 10-9 M, tenfold serial dilution, duplicate determinations). The assays were terminated by filtration on polyethylenimine (PEI 0.1% or 0.3%) presoaked Packard Unifilter Plates (GF/C or GF/B) with a Tomtec Machlll U 96well-plate harvester. After the plates had been dried for 2 h at 55°C in a drying chamber scintillation cocktail 10 (BetaPlate Scint; PerkinElmer) was added. Radioactivity was measured in a Microbeta Trilux two hours after the addition of the scintillation mixture. Data derived from liquid scintillation counting were analysed by iterative non-linear regression analysis with the use of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS): a program similar to "LIGAND" as described by Munson and Rodbard (Analytical Biochemistry 107, 220-239 (1980). a) 5-HT6 receptor binding assay HEK293 cells stably expressing the h-5-HT6 receptor (NCBI Reference Sequence XM 001435) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10 % 20 fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membrane preparation was performed as described in section 1. For these membranes a Kd of 1.95 nM for [3H]-LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Amersham, TRK1038) was determined by means of saturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCI, 5 mM CaCI2, 0.1% ascorbic acid, 10 pM pargyline, pH 25 7.4) to a concentration of 8 pg protein/assay and homogenized by gentle vortexing For inhibition studies, 1nM [3H]-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide was incubated in the presence of various concentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 1 pM methiothepin. The binding reaction was carried out for 3.5 h at room temperature. During the incubation, the plates were shaken on a plate shaker at 100 30 rpm and terminated by filtration on Packard Unifilter GF/C (0.1% PEI) plates, followed by 2 wash cycles with ice-cold 50 mM Tris-HCI, 5 mM CaCI2. a) Dopamine D2 receptor binding assay HEK293 cells stably expressing the dopamine D2 receptor (NCBI Reference Sequence NM_000795) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10 % fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membrane preparation was performed as described in section 1. For these membranes a Kd of 0.22 nM for [125l]-iodospiperone (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NEX284) was determined by means of 40 saturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCI, 120 mM NaCI, 5 mM MgCI2, 5 mM KCI, 1.5 mM CaCI2, pH 7.4) to a concentration of 15 pg protein/assay and homogenized by WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 65 gentle vortexing. For inhibition studies, 0.01 nM [125l]-iodospiperone (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NEX284) was incubated in the presence of various concentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 1 |jM haloperidol. The binding reaction was carried out for 1 h at room temperature and terminated by filtration 5 on Packard Unifilter GF/B (0.1 % PEI) plates, followed by 6 wash cycles with an ice-cold 7 % polyethylenglycol solution. b) a-i-Adrenergic receptor binding assay CHO-Ki cells stably expressing the ai-adrenergic receptor (NCBI Reference Sequence NM_033303) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10 % fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membrane preparation was performed as described in section 1. For these membranes a Kd of 0.12 nM for [3H]-prazosine (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET823) was determined by means of 15 saturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCI, pH 7.4) to a concentration of 4 |jg protein/assay and homogenized by gentle vortexing. For inhibition studies, 0.1 nM [3H]-prazosine (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET823) was incubated in the presence of various concentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specific binding was 20 defined with 1 |jM phentolamine. The binding reaction was carried out for 1 h at room temperature and terminated by filtration on Packard Unifilter GF/C (0.1% PEI) plates, followed by 3 wash cycles with ice-cold assay buffer. c) Hi receptor binding assay CHO-K1 cells stably expressing the histamine Hi receptor (Euroscreen-ES-390-C, NCBI Reference Sequence NM_000861) were cultured in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, 10 % fetal calf serum and 1-2 mM glutamine. The membrane preparation was performed as described in section 1. For these membranes 30 a Kd of 0.83 nM for [3H]-pyrilamine (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET594) was determined by means of saturation binding experiments. On the day of the assay, the membranes were thawed, diluted in assay buffer (50 mM Na2HP04, 50 mM KH2PO4, pH 7.4) to a concentration of 6 |jg protein/assay and homogenized by gentle vortexing. For inhibition studies, 1 nM [3H]-pyrilamine (PerkinElmer Life Sciences, NET594) was 35 incubated in the presence of various concentrations of test compound in assay buffer. Non-specific binding was defined with 1 |jM pyrilamine. The binding reaction was carried out for 50 minutes at room temperature and terminated by filtration on Packard Unifilter GF/C (0.3% PEI) plates, followed by 2 wash cycles with ice-cold assay buffer. 40 3. Data Analysis WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 66 Data derived from liquid scintillation counting were analyzed by iterative non-linear regression analysis with the use of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS): a program similar to "LIGAND" as described by Munson and Rodbard (Anal. Biochem. 1980, 107, 220-239). Fitting was performed according to formulae described by Feldman (Anal. 5 Biochem. 1972, 48, 317-338). IC50, nH and Ki values were expressed as geometrical mean. For receptors with a low affinity for the test compound, where the highest tested compound concentration inhibited less than 30% of specific radioligand binding, Ki-values were determined according to the equation of Cheng and Prusoff (Biochem. Pharmacol. 1973, 22, 2099-2108) and expressed as greater than (>). 0 The results of the receptor binding studies are expressed as receptor binding constants Ki(5-HTe), Ki(D2), Ki(a-i-adrenergic) and Ki(Hi), respectively, as described herein before, and given in table I.

In these tests, the compounds according to the invention exhibit very good affinities for the 5-HT6 receptor (Ki < 250 nM or< 50 nM or < 20 nM and frequently < 10 nM). Furthermore those compounds bind selectively to the 5-HT6 receptor, as compared to the affinity for the D2, the ai-adrenergic or the Hi receptors. These compounds exhibit little affinities for the D2, ai-adrenergic or Hi receptors (Ki> 250 nM or > 1000 nM and 20 frequently > 10000 nM). 40 Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 1: K 2: K 3: K 4: K 6: K 7: K 8: K 9: K (5HT6) < 10 nM. (5HT6) < 20 nM. (5HT6) < 20 nM. (5HT6) < 10 nM. (5HT6) < 20 nM. (5HT6) < 50 nM (5HT6) < 10 nM (5HT6) < 50 nM 10: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 11: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 12: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 13: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 14: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 15: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 16: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 17: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 18: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 19: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 20: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM 21: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 22: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM

Claims

1. WO 2009/056632 PCT/EP2008/064811 67 Example 23: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM Example 24: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM Example 25: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM Example 26: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM Example 27: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM Example 28: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM Example 29: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM Example 30: Ki (5HT6) < 10 nM Example 31: Ki (5HT6) < 50 nM 10 3. Determination of the metabolic stability The metabolic stability of the compounds of the invention was determined in the following assay by analyzing the microsomal half-life. The test substances are 15 incubated in a concentration of 0.5 |jM as follows: 0.5 |jM test substance is preincubated together with liver microsomes of various species (0.25 mg of protein/ml) in 0.05M potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.4 in microtiter plates at 37°C for 5 min. The reaction is started by adding NADPH (1 mg/mL). Aliquots are taken after 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min, and the reaction is 20 stopped with the same volume of acetonitrile and cooled down. The remaining test compound concentrations are being determined by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry analysis. Intrinsic clearance values are calculated using the elimination rate constant of test compound depletion. 25 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 68 What we claim is:

1. Benzenesulfonanilide compounds of formulae I and I' (I) (!') or ") im im — k -o F wherein 10 R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; R3 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy; R4 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl or fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl R5 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C2 alkyl, fluorinated C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy or 15 fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy; and R6 is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; and physiologically tolerated acid addition salts and the N-oxides thereof. 20

2. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1 is hydrogen.

3. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R2 is hydrogen.

4. The compounds as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein R2 is methyl. 25

5. The compounds as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbon atom that carries R2 has S-configuration.

6. The compounds as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbon atom that carries R2 30 has R-configuration. RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 69

7. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein R3 is methoxy. 5

8. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein R3 is hydrogen or fluorine.

9. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein R4 is hydrogen or C1-C2 alkyl. 10

10. The compounds as claimed in claim 9, wherein R4 is hydrogen.

11. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein R5 is hydrogen. 15

12. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein R5 is methoxy or difluoromethoxy.

13. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein R6 is 20 hydrogen.

14. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen, R3 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C2 alkoxy and fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy and R4 is selected from the group consisting of 25 hydrogen or C1-C2 alkyl.

15. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one or more of the following provisos a), b), c) ord) are met: a) R5 is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, C1-C2 alkyl, fluorinated 30 C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy or fluorinated C1-C2 alkoxy; b) R6 is fluorine or chlorine; c) R3 is hydrogen or fluorine; and/or d) R4 is C3-C4-alkyl or fluorinated CrC4-alkyl; 35

16. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R6 is fluorine or chlorine, which is located in the 6-position of the benzene ring.

17. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R6 is fluorine or chlorine, which is located in the 5-position of the benzene ring. 40

18. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein R3 is hydrogen. RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 10 70

19. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein R3 is methoxy.

20. The compounds as claimed in claim 15, wherein R3 and R6 are hydrogen.

21. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the OCHF2-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the ortho-positon with respect to the sulfonyl group.

22. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the OCHF2-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the meta-positon with respect to the sulfonyl group. 15

23. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the OCHF2-radical in formula I is located on the benzene ring in the para-positon with respect to the sulfonyl group.

24. The compounds as claimed in claim 1, selected from the group consisting of: 20 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-methyl-benzene-sulfonamide 4-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide 25 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-methoxy-3-piperazin- 1 -yl-phenyl)-amide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin- 1-yl)-phenyl]-amide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-30 benzenesulfonamide 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-4-difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 5-Difluoromethoxy-2-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzene-sulfonamide 35 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)- benzenesulfonamide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (3-fluoro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl]-40 benzenesulfonamide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-(2-fluoroethoxy)-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 71 3-Difluoromethoxy-4-methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 4-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 5 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-ethyl-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzenesulfonamide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-N-propyl-benzene-10 sulfonamide N-(2-Chloro-4-methoxy-5-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-3-difluoromethoxy-benzene-sulfonamide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide 15 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin- 1 -yl)-phenyl]-methyl-amide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid ethyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid methyl-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1 -20 yl-phenyl)-amide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-methyl-benzenesulfonamide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide 25 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (4-fluoro-3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-amide 3-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1-yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide 2,2-Difluoro-benzo[1,3]dioxole-4-sulfonic acid (3-piperazin-1 -yl-phenyl)-amide 30 2-Difluoromethoxy-N-(3-piperazin-1 -yl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide and the physiologically tolerated salts of these compounds.

25. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use in a 35 medicament.

26. The compounds as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use in a medicament, for treating a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity. 40 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 29 March 2012 5 28. 29. 10 30. 31. 15 32. 20 33. 34. 25 35. 36. 30 37. 35 38. 39. 40 40. 72 A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24, optionally together with at least one physiologically acceptable carrier or auxiliary substance. Use of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a medical disorder selected from diseases of the central nervous system, addiction diseases or obesity. The use as claimed in claim 28, wherein the medical disorder is a disease of the central nervous system. The use as claimed in claim 29, for treating cognitive dysfunctions. The use as claimed in claim 29, for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with Alzheimer's disease. The use as claimed in claim 29, for treating cognitive dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia. The use as claimed in claim 28, wherein the medical disorder is an addiction disease. The use as claimed in claim 28, wherein the medical disorder is obesity. The use of a compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24 for preparing a pharmaceutical composition. The compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 substantially as herein described with reference to any example thereof. The compounds for use as claimed in claim 25 or 26 substantially as herein described. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 27 substantially as herein described. The use as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 34 substantially as herein described. The use as claimed in claim 35 substantially as herein described.